Former Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama lost her seat in a crushing defeat in Thursday’s Ontario election, and social media users have mixed reactions.
Jama, who was running as an Independent, finished fourth place behind most of the major parties, trailing behind Progressive Conservative candidate Sarah Bokhari, Liberal candidate Eileen Walker, and newly-elected New Democratic Party MPP, Robin Lennox.
Over 33,000 voters in the riding cast their ballot according to unofficial election results. Jama received 4,977 votes, compared to Lennox who was carried to the first place with 12,839 votes.
The loss now adds to a list of losing battles for Jama who was elected as the NDP MPP for the riding in a 2023 by-election, before being ousted from caucus later that year for controversial posts made as she showed support for Palestinians, forcing her to serve the remainder of her term as an Independent.
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Despite her attempt to seek the party’s nomination in the snap election, the Ontario NDP ultimately decided to reject her application.
Jama’s defeat has social media users split, with some showing support, while others are celebrating her loss.
“Sarah Jama didn’t deserve this. She not only did nothing wrong – she did the right thing right off the bat. And for that she was met with incessant racism. And now she’s lost her seat,” one X user wrote.
“She will come back stronger, she is not going to back down,” another user wrote.
Despite the outpouring of love, some users continuously accuse Jama of being “antisemitic” due to her previous remarks, which includes calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“Sarah Jama got exactly what she deserved today,” one X user wrote.
Another user went on to post, “she shamed the office… she deserves to be removed.”
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Jama has yet to publicly speak about her election loss. Now Toronto has reached out for a comment but did not receive one in time for publication.
Lennox, a practicing family physician in Hamilton and health advocate, took to X to thank her supporters.
“Thank you Hamilton Centre for placing your trust in me as your MPP, thank you to our entire team of staff and volunteers, and for all who offered encouragement and kindness along the way,” she said.
Lennox finished by extending her message to Jama.
“Thank you to MPP [Sara Jama] for her service to our community over the past 2 years, and congratulations on running such a strong campaign,” she said.
