3 London ridings to watch in the 2018 Ontario election

While the leaders and candidates of Ontario's political parties began campaigning weeks ago, the provincial election officially begins today when Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell signs the election writs. 

Here are three London ridings to watch once the official race begins:

One to remember in London West

It might be one to remember in London West.

In one corner is the colourful and controversial former media personality-turned politico Andrew Lawton. In the other is long time school board trustee and chair Peggy Sattler. 

Lawton is Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford's controversial pick to win London West, an appointment that rubbed some local party loyalists the wrong way.

Recent headlines about Lawton's past remarks about women, Islam and the LGBTQ community have also ruffled a few feathers. Lawton asked voters for their "compassion and trust," for his antagonizing words from the past, which he blames on his struggle with mental illness. 

Lawton must unseat New Democrat incumbent Peggy Sattler and while she's only held the riding since 2013, she brings with her 13 years experience campaigning and community organizing as a local trustee and former chair of the Thames Valley District School Board. 

Meanwhile, the Liberals have an uphill battle on their hands. While they do enjoy strong support in this riding, first-time candidate for the party Jonathan Hughes likely faces a tough fight against his two better-known rivals. 

Wide open race in London North Centre

This riding has been solidly Liberal red since 2003 and with the retirement of political heavyweight Deb Matthews – it's anyone's game. 

Filling Matthews' political shoes is Liberal Kate Graham, a city hall bureaucrat with 10 years in local government and a PhD in political science. This is Graham's first time in the political ring and her highest profile rival in what could be a wide open race is a woman who already has some experience in the political arena. 

Progressive Conservative candidate Susan Truppe was a one-term parliamentarian, winning the riding in the 2011 federal election against then Liberal incumbent Glen Pearson before being unseated in the 2015 federal race that saw Justin Trudeau's Liberals form a majority. 

With two politically formidable women to contend with, London teacher and union steward Terence Kernaghan likely has a tough fight on his hands as the New Democrat candidate in the riding, which has never elected an NDP candidate in its entire 67 year history. 

The incumbent versus the insider in London-Fanshawe

London-Fanshawe has been NDP orange since 2011, when New Democrat Theresa Armstrong unseated Liberal Khalil Ramal.

Armstrong has held fast in her riding, defeating her nearest rival Progressive Conservative Chris Robson in 2014 by nearly 10,000 votes. Now she looks to do it again in 2018, except this time she's up against some brand new challengers.

They include Liberal insider and London-born Lawvin Hadisi.

Hadisi worked for the minister responsible for early years and child care before she served as a communications advisor and press secretary to the president of the Ontario Treasury Board.

The Western-educated Hadisi, whose parents once owned a business at Argyle Mall, is a late addition to the race. She won her party's nomination on Saturday. 

Rounding out the big three parties is insurance man and and Halifax-educated Eric Weniger, who is running as the Progressive Conservative candidate.