Anthony Housefather wins Liberal nomination for Mount-Royal

Anthony Housefather is the Mount Royal riding’s new Liberal candidate — and could be the next MP, if the riding continues the longtime tradition of voting Liberal.

• Liberal MP Irwin Cotler not running in next election

Mount Royal is a Liberal stronghold, with Liberal MPs holding the riding since 1940.

Current MP Irwin Cotler announced his retirement this year, leaving his seat up for grabs.

It turned out to be a tight race, with Côte St-Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather coming up against public relations man Jonathan Goldbloom. 

Turnout on Sunday was strong, with nearly 2,000 card-carrying Liberals coming out to vote.

Much of Housefather’s support came from his own city, while Côte-des-Neiges largely backed Goldbloom.

Housefather said the next step will be winning them over.

"Côte St-Luc is 35,000 people. Now, the riding is a 105,000 people. I've got to go out and meet the other 70,000 people," he said.

Housefather will face stiff Conservative competition in the next federal election.

Robert Libman, former Côte St-Luc mayor and founder of the now-defunct Equality Party, and Suburban newspaper editor Beryl Wajsman are vying for the Conservative nomination.