24-03-2025
Here are the candidates running in Cardigan
This riding represents almost all of Kings County, stretching from Tracadie Bay and Scotchfort to East Point, from Souris down to Murray Harbour. Point Prim, Stratford and everywhere in between.
Liberal MP Lawrence MacAulay has held this riding for 36 years, making him the longest-serving MP in the Island's history. MacAulay has announced that he's retiring and will not seek re-election in the upcoming election.
Four candidates have been confirmed in this riding, and they're listed alphabetically by first name.
Adam Harding, People's Party of Canada
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Adam Harding spent nine years in the Canadian Armed Forces before deciding to settle in Alliston, P.E.I., with his family in 2020.
He now works as the lead hand for the Georgetown and Cardigan maintenance shops with the Town of Three Rivers' Public Works.
During his time in the military, he served as a supply technician on HMCS Toronto and later as a plumbing and heating technician at CFB Bagotville and CFB Halifax.
James Aylward, Conservative Party
James Aylward served as the MLA for Stratford-Keppoch from 2011 to 2023. He was the leader of the provincial Progressive Conservatives from 2017 to 2018 and served as P.E.I.'s health minister during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aylward later became minister of transportation in 2021 before being removed from cabinet in 2022. He did not seek re-election in 2023.
Kent MacDonald, Liberal Party
Kent MacDonald is a seventh-generation dairy farmer from Little Pond. He's a new candidate for the federal Liberals in the riding for the first time in nearly four decades.
MacDonald is a past director, vice-chair and chair of Dairy Farmers of P.E.I., and was a director and vice-chair of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture. He is the current president of Pondsedge Farms, his family's dairy and beef operation.
Lynne Thiele, New Democratic Party
Thiele, who lives in Stratford, is a former educator. She is active in social issues and runs a volunteer reading program, according to a release from the party.
Thiele ran unsuccessfully with the NDP for a provincial seat twice previously, and also represented the party in Cardigan for the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
