Celebrity investor and reality-TV star Kevin O害羞草研究所橪eary is quitting the federal Conservative leadership race and throwing his support behind Quebec rival Maxime Bernier.
O害羞草研究所橪eary said despite his front-runner status nationally, he doesn害羞草研究所檛 have the kind of support in Quebec he thinks he needs, not just for the leadership but for the next general election.
害羞草研究所淭his is obviously very disappointing for me. As someone who was born in Montreal, I had hoped I would do much better there,害羞草研究所� O害羞草研究所橪eary said in a statement Wednesday, only hours after informing his campaign team of his decision.
O害羞草研究所橪eary said he is supporting Bernier because the longtime Quebec MP害羞草研究所檚 policies mirror his own.
害羞草研究所淗e is perhaps the first Conservative in a long time that has a chance of winning over 40 seats there, which would materially improve our chances for a majority mandate,害羞草研究所� O害羞草研究所橪eary said.
害羞草研究所淪o here is what I害羞草研究所檓 going to do; I害羞草研究所檓 withdrawing my candidacy from the leadership race and throwing my full support behind Max.害羞草研究所�
Bernier, for his part, has scheduled a news conference in Toronto for later Wednesday, where the candidates are scheduled to face each other in a final debate showdown before next month害羞草研究所檚 vote.
A lack of facility with French was always considered one of O害羞草研究所橪eary害羞草研究所檚 greatest liabilities.
As for assets, O害羞草研究所橪eary had plenty: instant recognition, thanks to years of television exposure; a public image as a savvy financial manager; and a brash, no-nonsense, outsider approach that echoed the unlikely ascent of U.S. President Donald Trump.
He had promised to talk up the Canadian economy and trade in a way he complained the current Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had failed to do.
害羞草研究所淚f Trudeau isn害羞草研究所檛 beaten in the next election, he will leave the next generation of Canadians, those thousands of millennials I害羞草研究所檝e been talking about, with a mountain of debt and high taxes. This cannot be allowed to happen,害羞草研究所� O害羞草研究所橪eary said Wednesday.
害羞草研究所淭he Conservative party needs someone who has the best chance of beating Trudeau. Someone who will command the support of Canadians from every region of the country and who can build a consensus among all members of the party.害羞草研究所�
Prior to Wednesday, O害羞草研究所橪eary had offered no hint that he was considering dropping out. Three hours before announcing the decision, he sent out a fundraising letter to his supporters.
The party has already started mailing ballots to party members, and O害羞草研究所橪eary害羞草研究所檚 name is included. His campaign claims to have signed up just over 35,000 people, and there害羞草研究所檚 no guarantee any or all will agree to back Bernier.
The winner will be announced May 27.
