Beaches-East York residents now know who will carry the Liberal banner in their upcoming federal byelection: Tanveer Shahnawaz, a former staffer for the riding’s former MP, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith.

Shahnawaz won the nomination on Saturday, July 18, defeating Summer Nudel, Arthur Potts and Claire Seaborn in a ranked-ballot contest, Beach Metro Community News reported. A date for the byelection has not yet been announced.

The nomination results were announced shortly after 5 p.m., following six hours of voting by members of the Liberal riding association. There were 873 ballots counted.

The vote took place at Gledhill Junior Public School on Gledhill Avenue. Dozens of residents attended, along with Liberal MPs Doly Begum of Scarborough Southwest and Gary Anandasangaree of Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park.

“I’m honoured that you’ve selected me as our next Liberal candidate in Beaches-East York,” Shahnawaz said in his victory speech in the school gymnasium, according to Beach Metro Community News.

Shahnawaz enters the byelection campaign with experience in the riding’s constituency office and the endorsement of Erskine-Smith, who backed him during the nomination race.

He grew up in Crescent Town, northwest of Victoria Park and Danforth avenues. His work in the community has included serving as an MP constituency office manager and co-chair of the Taylor-Massey & Oakridge Community Response Team.

In an interview after the result, Shahnawaz pointed to that local experience as he discussed taking on the candidacy.

“I’ve learned from the best, and I’ve got big shoes to fill with Nate leaving those behind, but I’m also very galvanized with my deep connections to speak up,” Shahnawaz told Beach Metro Community News.

One issue shared by all four nomination contestants was opposition to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s planned expansion of Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto’s waterfront. Each candidate pledged during opening speeches to oppose the expansion.

After winning, Shahnawaz said bringing residents’ objections to the airport plan to the federal level would be a priority. He described raising those concerns with Toronto, Ontario and national Liberal caucuses as a way to make the riding’s position heard.

Shahnawaz also credited his longstanding community connections for the nomination victory and acknowledged members who came out to vote despite rain.

“I’m super energized to carry on with strong local representation,” he said in his post-vote remarks, as reported by Beach Metro Community News.