Joe Preston (politician)

Joe Preston
Mayor of St. Thomas
Assumed office
December 1, 2018
Preceded byHeather Jackson
Member of Parliament
for Elgin—Middlesex—London
In office
June 28, 2004 – August 4, 2015
Preceded byGar Knutson
Succeeded byKaren Vecchio
Chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure & House Affairs
In office
March 6, 2007 – August 2, 2015
Minister
Preceded byGary Goodyear
Succeeded byLarry Bagnell
Personal details
Born (1956-06-14) June 14, 1956 (age 68)
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Political partyIndependent (since 2018)
Other political
affiliations
Conservative (2004–2015)
SpouseStephanie Preston
Residence(s)St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Profession
  • Politician
  • restaurateur

Joseph Preston (born June 14, 1955) is a Canadian politician who currently serves as the mayor of St. Thomas. He was previously a member of Parliament, representing Elgin—Middlesex—London riding from 2004 to 2015 as a member of a Conservative Party of Canada.[1]

He defeated Liberal incumbent Gar Knutson in the 2004 federal election. He was re-elected in the 2006, 2008 and 2011 federal elections. He did not run again in 2015 and retired from parliament.

On July 10, 2018, Preston announced that he was running for mayor of St. Thomas in the 2018 Ontario municipal election,[2] which he won.[3]

Prior to being an member of Parliament, he was an entrepreneur in St. Thomas, and was active in local politics.

  1. ^ Bejermi, John Zeyad (January 1, 2008). Canadian parliamentary handbook. Borealis Press. p. 345. ISBN 9780888873507. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  2. ^ Peacock, Devon (July 10, 2018). "Former Conservative MP Joe Preston to run for mayor of St. Thomas". Global News. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  3. ^ "City Council". City of St. Thomas. Retrieved December 6, 2020.