A voice for farmers in Ottawa, and a local role in the federal decision-making process.

Those are the pledges on which Allan Thompson is running for the federal Liberal nomination in Huron-Bruce.

Thompson Wednesday announced his intention, at a campaign launch barbecue at his Goderich home.

Among those in attendance was former Liberal MP Paul Steckle, who was defeated by Conservative Ben Lobb in 2008.

While the Liberals were elected to power in 2015, Thompson lost his bid to become MP by 3,045 votes to Lobb in a tight race.

Thompson is confident the Liberals will win re-election next year, and says Huron-Bruce needs to have a stronger voice on the government side in Parliament.

He paints himself as a go-getter, who can get things done on issues including agriculture, trade and the economy.

Thompson expects another close election in Huron-Bruce, and admits he'll have to earn every Liberal vote.

He fired an opening shot at the Conservatives, whom he says display a sense of entitlement to represent rural ridings across the country.