Local conservatives in Chatham-Kent Leamington have chosen Dave Epp as their candidate heading into next year’s federal election.

Leamington farmer Dave Epp at the Conservative National Convention in Halifax. Photo courtesy of Dave Epp via Facebook.

The Leamington resident beat out Mike Grail, David VanDamme, and Toyin Crandell after two days of voting by party members over the weekend.

Epp is a third-generation farmer, president of tomato processor Lycoland Farms, and works as an agriculture advocate with various groups, including the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers and Agricorp.

Conservatives in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex will hold their nomination meeting in the new year.