One of his distant ancestors, John Brownell, represented the same general region in the Upper Canadian parliament from 1808 to 1809.
He has been involved with many local organizations, including the Lost Villages Historical Society and Museum.
Incumbent Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh Liberal MPP John Cleary retired before the 2003 provincial election.
Although the election was expected to be close, he defeated Progressive Conservative Todd Lalonde by about 5500 votes.
[1] On May 21, 2004, he was appointed parliamentary assistant to George Smitherman, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.