Liberals to pick candidate for Saint-Laurent tonight – CBC.ca

A 26-year-old high school teacher has defeatedformer provincial cabinet minister Yolande James for the Liberal nomination in the riding of Saint-Laurent.

Emmanuella Lambropoulos beat James and law professor Marwah Rizqy Wednesday night to secure the nomination.

She credited her win with a lot of work in the riding.

"I really went every day, door-to-door, with one or two other people. We worked really hard,"Lambropoulostold Radio-Canada.

She said that leading up to the party vote the media didn't pay much attention to her candidacy and that often, people didn't even know there was a third candidate running.

Lambropoulos, 26, is a high school teacher in Montreal's Rosemont neighbourhood. (Radio-Canada)

Lambropoulos and her team couldn't hold back their surprise at beating James, the woman considered to be the Liberal party favourite.

James was reportedly approached by the party to run and served as provincial immigration minister between 2007-2010 under former Quebec premier Jean Charest.

Lambropoulos is a high school teacher in Montreal's Rosemont neighbourhood and has worked for the Saint-Laurent riding association.

The Saint-Laurent riding has been Liberal for decades and is considered a safe seat for the party in the April 3 byelection.

The seat was left empty whenStphane Dionaccepted the role ofambassador to the EU and Germany.

The race has stirred upcontroversy, as long-serving St-Laurent borough mayorAlan DeSousawas blocked from seeking the nomination by the party without explanation. His appeal of the decision was unsuccessful.

A Liberal member at Wednesday's votewho has lived in the riding for 13 years,Bilal Hamideh, told CBC it was unfortunate DeSousa was not allowed to run.

"In general, I think it's discouraging to participate in the [nomination]system," Hamidehsaid.

"It does weaken the system in a way if it is not clearly explained why he wasn'tallowed."

Go here to see the original:

Liberals to pick candidate for Saint-Laurent tonight - CBC.ca