The New Democratic Party (NDP) in the federal riding of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell will select its candidate for October’s election on April 11.

Konstantine Malakos is hoping to secure the nomination.

He has been involved with the NDP for several years, serving on a riding association executive in the Montreal area, and as the President of the party’s LGBT Commission. He met his now-husband while studying in New York City and they were among the first gay couples legally married in New York State.

Malakos said the NDP offers an alternative to the Liberals and Conservatives.  He said that in 2015, voters rejected former Conservative MP Pierre Lemieux and chose Liberal Francis Drouin, whom he said has not fulfilled the expectations voters had.

“He has not been offering the change they necessarily voted for,” said Malakos.

The candidate hopeful also said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has been more prominent and the party more united around him since he won a by-election in BC and now has a seat in the House of Commons.

Malakos said the major issues in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell are protecting supply management for the dairy industry and ensuring proper access to high-speed internet in rural areas.

The NDP nomination meeting begins at 6:30pm on April 11, at the Steelworkers Hall at 212-250 Main Street East in Hawkesbury.