Paul Loewenberg wins NDP nomination for Sudbury riding

Sudbury New Democrats have chosen a candidate who almost won the riding in a previous provincialelection.

Paul Loewenberg, who won the federal nomination Wednesday night, lost by just 500 votes to longtime Sudbury Liberal MPP Rick Bartolucci in 2011.

Last year, he threw his hat in the ring again for the provincial election, only to lose the NDPnomination to Joe Cimino.

But yesterday was his day to shine and even his challenger, Stephanie Harris, cheered him on.

"I have the honour of moving that we make this vote unanimous," she said.

Loewenberg will try to regain the federal seat for the NDP.

It has been vacant since former NDP MP GlennThibeault moved to the Liberals and was elected as Sudbury's MPP.

"I will fight to bring the best damn representation since Tommy Douglas stopped being a Saskatchewan preacher and went to office," Loewenberg said.

He will compete against Liberal Paul Lefebvre, Conservative Fred Slade and Green party candidate David Robinson.

Loewenberg said he already has a list of federal issues that he wants to tackle.

"We need to raise this country's most vulnerable people. We need to work on $15-an-hour minimum wage, $15-a-day daycare."

Voters go to the polls in October.

Loewenberg is the last candidate of a major political party to get his name on the Sudbury ballot.