Ontario Election 2025: Sarah Jama Loses Seat in Hamilton Centre to NDP's Robin Lennox

Image credits: Credit: Joey Coleman

Sarah Jama, the incumbent independent MPP for Hamilton Centre, lost her seat to NDP's Robin Lennox in the 2025 Ontario election, receiving less than 5,000 votes. Jama, who was expelled from the NDP caucus in 2023 over comments she made about the Israel-Hamas conflict, came in fourth place behind Lennox, Progressive Conservative candidate Sarah Bokhari, and Liberal candidate Eileen Walker. The loss marks a significant setback for Jama, who was elected as the NDP MPP for the riding in a 2023 by-election. Jama's defeat has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users showing support for her and others celebrating her loss.

Jama's campaign was marked by controversy, including her refusal to remove her keffiyeh, a checkered scarf typically worn in Arab cultures, from Queen's Park after it was banned by Speaker Ted Arnott. The scarf has come to symbolize solidarity with Palestinians, and Jama's decision to wear it was seen as a political statement. Despite the controversy, Jama remained committed to her campaign, stating that it was about "breaking the limitations of what's possible electorally." Jama's supporters were vocal and motivated, proudly displaying Jama signs on their lawns and in windows, and her campaign was fully funded, having raised $34,325.99 between November 29 and December 31, 2023.

The election results have significant implications for the progressive-left movement in Hamilton, which had backed Jama's campaign. The movement, led by figures such as Matthew Green and Cameron Kroetsch, had gained significant traction in recent years, with several of its candidates winning elected office. However, the loss of Jama's seat and the defeat of Kojo Damptey, the Hamilton Mountain NDP candidate, mark a significant setback for the movement. The results will likely be closely examined by political organizers, who will seek to determine where the movement's supporters are most vulnerable and how to regain momentum in future elections. The NDP will also need to reassess its strategy in the wake of the election, particularly in light of the conservative shift in voting patterns in some areas of Hamilton.

The election results have also sparked a wider debate about the role of the progressive-left movement in Ontario politics. Some have argued that the movement's focus on social justice issues, such as solidarity with Palestinians, has alienated some voters and contributed to its defeat. Others have argued that the movement's commitment to these issues is essential to its identity and that it must continue to prioritize them in order to remain relevant. The debate is likely to continue in the coming weeks and months, as the progressive-left movement seeks to regroup and reassess its strategy in the wake of the election.

In terms of the election results, the key statistics are as follows: * Over 33,000 voters in the riding cast their ballot, according to unofficial election results. * Jama received 4,977 votes, compared to Lennox, who received 12,839 votes. * The NDP's Robin Lennox won the seat with 38 percent of the vote, while Jama came in fourth place with 15 percent. * The Progressive Conservative candidate, Sarah Bokhari, received 23 percent of the vote, while the Liberal candidate, Eileen Walker, received 20 percent. The results will likely have significant implications for the future of the progressive-left movement in Hamilton and beyond, and will be closely watched by political observers and analysts in the coming weeks and months.