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As a horseman, Anthony MacDonald is no stranger to early mornings and late nights. But as a candidate for Ontario’s upcoming provincial election in June, and as a full-time harness driver, MacDonald is not counting on much sleep over the next four weeks.
MacDonald, who is the Progressive Conservative candidate for Guelph in the upcoming Ontario provincial election, says he will continue to drive horses and dedicate all of his remaining waking hours to canvassing in his riding.
“I used to get up and go to the barn, help with horses in the morning, take a nap, hang out with my daughter and son, and then head to the racetrack,” MacDonald told Trot Insider. “Now I get up at 7, go to a diner or establishment, and start talking to people first thing. I hand out cards, canvas all morning, stopping for a lunch, then I canvas all day.”
On race nights, MacDonald will still head off to Woodbine, with his plan to race the majority of programs on the Woodbine-Mohawk circuit, until election time. At the same time, he is committed to attending every political event and debate that takes place.
“I’ve made a promise to Tim Hudak and the PC party, and I intend to fulfill that,” he says. “At the same time, my family always comes first, as I have a son, a daughter and a wife to support, so I will continue to drive. I have 100,000 people in Guelph and my goal is to speak to as many of them as I possibly can. I canvas until the last minute I can, at some point I drink a large Red Bull, then I continue on.”
MacDonald believes he can achieve victory in Guelph, and believes that will be in large part to the vital support he continues to receive from the harness racing industry.
“We’ve had an unbelievable amount of support and that shows what the people in this industry are like. On the racing side, the trainers, like Carmen Auciello, and the owners I drive for, have been so understanding with my schedule and they’ve donated to the cause. I can’t say enough about the efforts of all of the volunteers who have spent so much time dedicated to this cause.”
Even with the support he’s received, MacDonald is still very concerned about the funding his campaign has for the final weeks before the election.
“I have received so much help but we’re at 65% of the budget that we absolutely need to have,” he says. “I know I can win, and represent this industry at Queen’s Park, but if I can’t raise the amount of money needed, it’s like breaking at the gate and trying win the race. It’s a huge disadvantage.”
As for why MacDonald is running, the 37-year-old doesn’t mince words.
“It’s not just the people in this industry,” he says. “The people in rural Ontario understand and know what we’re up against. Sure I could make more money in harness racing than in politics but I’m worried about the kids, the next generation of horsepeople and Ontarians in general. It bothers me greatly that their future, on the current course, is in jeopardy.”
Anthony has been trying to
Anthony has been trying to visit as many neighborhoods in as he possibly can. He has been going non-stop since he has been nominated in 2012. The campaign headquarters has been set up and open at 476 Woodlawn Road E. The office number is (519)265-4206 and volunteers are available daily to take your calls. Drop by and say hello.
I am not from rural Ontario,
I am not from rural Ontario, however I am a horse racing fan and have been for 40 years. Anyone who cares about horse racing (as I do) or anyone who cares about our brothers and sisters in rural Ontario who have suffered severe economic hardship as a direct result of the terrible mismanagement,waste and corruption of the Liberal government should be linng up to help Anthony out as well as to vote PC no matter where in Ontario you live. This government has not only hurt rural Ontario but all Ontarions with it's policies of wasteful spending, taxation and corruption.
Now is the chance for people to actually put their voice to use to try to effect a change.
Do not let it slip you by.
Folks, if we are gonna get
Folks, if we are gonna get Anthony into queens park, he needs our time, our effort, and not the least but as important as everything else, your financial support!! He has been canvasing everyday for months and continues to do so, but it isn't enough without our whole industry and all the friends and family that we can draw on to come to Guelph at every chance they get to put signs in lawns or canvas a street!! Let's, for once, put this election campaign ahead of ourselves and help get Anthony elected!! So many people have come forward to help but it won't be enough until we get Anthony Macdonald into Queens Park!!! Speak out on here or PM Anthony or myself The office is set up and this campaign may just be the first steps this industry takes to a real sustainable future, not the one that this govt has pushed on us!!! Let's all do this together!!! VOTE PC