By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday October 30, 2014
Doug Ford could have a real shot at winning Ontario PC leadership, party insiders say
Some Ontario Progressive Conservatives say Doug Ford could have a real shot at winning the party’s leadership if he decides to enter the race.
After losing the Toronto mayor’s race to former PC leader John Tory, Doug Ford told radio station NewsTalk 1010 that he was considering entering the race to become provincial Conservative leader.
[slideshow_deploy id=’4298’]
Ford said the party needs to reach out to union members, people in public housing and other “common people that are fiscally conservative, but you have to have a social conscience.”
Conservative insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity because they support other leadership candidates say Ford could be a serious contender because of the party’s one-member one-vote system.
One party veteran says Ford would absolutely be a credible candidate, especially with his talk about broadening the party’s traditional base and his ability to make a breakthrough in Toronto, where the Conservatives don’t hold any seats.
However, another longtime Conservative says party members would be leery of taking a risk on a man many consider to be a very polarizing figure.
There are currently five declared candidates to replace Tim Hudak as leader of the PCs and Ontario’s Official Opposition, and voting won’t take place until next May. (Source: National Post)