The man who inspired Joseph Racinsky to enter the political ring looked on proudly as the initial polls reported the first votes in Thursday night's provincial election.
Bernie Racinsky had reason to beam as his 23-year-old grandson was elected MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills, placing him among the youngest politicians to ever earn a seat at Queen's Park. He also holds the title as the youngest person ever elected to Halton Hills Council.
This week, Racinsky won by an almost 10,000 vote margin to maintain the Conservative hold on the riding.
"He does blame me for getting him into politics," the elder Racinsky said.
The newly-minted MPP can pinpoint the time that would shape his future.
“It was 2015 election and I was a teenager at the time,” Racinsky said. “He (my grandfather) was quite passionate. He approved of (Stephen) Harper and that kind of sparked the interest in me and politics locally. His interest and his opinions got me started 10 years ago.”
That start involved assisting others with their campaigns and working in the constituency office of Milton MPP Parm Gill, which gave him some insight into the behind-the-scenes working of a Queen’s Park representative.
But Racinsky didn’t envision himself becoming that representative until recently.
“Four years ago I didn’t think I’d be running for office, period,” he said. “Opportunities have arisen, and it comes back to the fact that we live in a democracy and that’s rare in the world, it’s rare in history, and if people are willing to put up their hand and make an impact, that’s what I wanted to do.”
Ken Kopke, who worked on the local Conservative campaign, said even when Racinsky encountered someone who didn’t support the party while knocking on doors, he listened and answered their questions.
He sees parallels between Racinsky and the man he's succeeding, Ted Arnott, who was first elected 35 years ago at the age of 27.
“Ted started young, so to have someone that wants to do this at that age; he got some experience on council, and now we’ve got that kind of person who could be a steady representative for 35 years.”
As for how Racinsky went from constituency office worker, to town councillor, to MPP in four years, he said it evolved rather naturally.
“I just took it one step at a time and that’s what has led us to where we are today. We have to encourage young people, especially, but if people in general get involved in the political process – far too few people do so – you can really have an impact.”