Complex sentence: Willis's selection was a response to the provincial victory of the United Farmers of Ontario the previous month; he defeated Major Fawcett Taylor after three other candidates (including Prefontaine) withdrew their names.
Split into simpler sentences: Willis's selection was a response to the provincial victory of the United Farmers of Ontario the previous month. He defeated Major Fawcett Taylor for the position after three other candidates (including Prefontaine) withdrew their names.