This provincial election could be historic in Windsor-Essex. Here's how the race is shaping up

History could be made in Windsor Essex in this June's provincial election as women of colour are running in three ridings, and the Progressive Conservatives, who have been unsuccessful for several years, are fielding three well-known candidates in the ridings as well. 

"It's going to be fascinating. The hospital is going to be a major issue," said Dave Cooke, former Windsor NDP MPP and cabinet minister, referring to the upcoming mega-hospital project.

With the election set for June 2, the Liberals, NDP and Progressive Conservatives have nominated most of their candidates in the four Windsor-Essex ridings.

There will definitely be new MPPs in Windsor-Tecumseh and in Essex, where incumbents Percy Hatfield and Taras Natyshak are not running.

In Windsor-Tecumseh, Gemma Grey-Hall is the NDP candidate. She has served as president and chair of Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor. She's the University of Windsor's director of advancement and she is currently a member of Black Women of Forward Action, a group focused on enriching and educating the local community.

Lawyer Linda McCurdy, the daughter of former MP Howard McCurdy, is running in Windsor West.

If either Grey-Hall or McCurdy get elected, it will be the first time a Black woman has held those seats in Queen's Park.

"I'm so glad to see there's representation and inclusivity," said Angelina Ebegbuzie, president of Black Women of Forward Action.

A woman of colour could also end up representing the riding of Essex.

Liberal candidate Manpreet Brar, an IT professional and community volunteer whose background is South Asian, is a newcomer to the political scene.

She is, however, up against better known and more experienced politicians in school board trustee Ron LeClair for the NDP and former Amherstburg deputy mayor Anthony Leardi for the PCs.

Cooke believes the PCs have a good chance of winning in either Essex or Windsor-Tecumseh where Tecumseh councillor Andrew Dowie is carrying the PC banner.

"The county riding is going to be interesting because if you take a look at the results federally, the Conservatives have done really well. They've held onto the riding and last time when [NDP incumbent] Taras [Natyshak] was running four years ago I believe the margin of victory was only 1,500 votes," said Cooke.

He believes the race in Windsor-Tecumseh is between Grey-Hall and Dowie, despite Windsor city councillor Gary Kaschak joining the race for the Liberals.