Gaming out the byelections

Triple-header incoming

BYELECTION BATTLEGROUNDS

It’s byelection(s) day!

By law, Premier DOUG FORD must call the byelection for Scarborough Southwest today, and since the writ is always dropped (yes, dropped, like an album, for all you electoral purists!) on a Wednesday and held on Thursdays, that would make E-Day September 3.

Senior sources have confirmed to me that we’re expecting a hat trick, including York-Simcoe and Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.

Let’s game this out: While SSW is a longshot for the PCs, and HESC might be a bit more touch-and-go, they’re expected to hang on to York-Simcoe, so running three by-elections at once has its strategic advantages for the ruling party.

Losing the riding you haven’t held in decades (SSW) and winning the one you were expected to hold on to (YS) just keeps everything status quo.

That may be the best storyline the Premier can hope for after a rough couple of months and a spending scandal that is still doing damage. Case in point: The latest horse race from Abacus Data,…