From his email blast:

My name is Rob Ashton. I’m not a politician — I’m a worker. I’ve spent 30 years on the docks, working long hours, giving up weekends, and fighting to make sure a paycheque stretches far enough. I know what that struggle feels like because I’ve lived it.

And I also know this: anger alone won’t change things. But solidarity will. Organizing will. That’s the power that built the NDP — and it’s the power we need to reclaim.

Somewhere along the way, working people stopped hearing their voice in our party. That opened the door for Liberals and Conservatives to pretend they speak for us. But let’s be clear:

• Liberals talk progressive values, then side with CEOs and force workers back on the job.
• Conservatives wrap themselves in hard hats, then hand tax breaks to billionaires while dividing people against each other.

Neither of them are in it for working people. They never were.

The NDP was created by workers to be our unapologetic voice in politics. To put kitchen-table economics first. To take on corporate greed, fight for good jobs, affordable housing, and strong public services — and to never back down. That’s the leadership I’m offering.

I’m low key excited about this guy’s candidacy.