Celebrity investor and reality-TV star Kevin O91裸聊视频橪eary is quitting the federal Conservative leadership race and throwing his support behind Quebec rival Maxime Bernier.
O91裸聊视频橪eary said despite his front-runner status nationally, he doesn91裸聊视频檛 have the kind of support in Quebec he thinks he needs, not just for the leadership but for the next general election.
91裸聊视频淭his is obviously very disappointing for me. As someone who was born in Montreal, I had hoped I would do much better there,91裸聊视频� O91裸聊视频橪eary said in a statement Wednesday, only hours after informing his campaign team of his decision.
O91裸聊视频橪eary said he is supporting Bernier because the longtime Quebec MP91裸聊视频檚 policies mirror his own.
91裸聊视频淗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,91裸聊视频� O91裸聊视频橪eary said.
91裸聊视频淪o here is what I91裸聊视频檓 going to do; I91裸聊视频檓 withdrawing my candidacy from the leadership race and throwing my full support behind Max.91裸聊视频�
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 month91裸聊视频檚 vote.
A lack of facility with French was always considered one of O91裸聊视频橪eary91裸聊视频檚 greatest liabilities.
As for assets, O91裸聊视频橪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.
91裸聊视频淚f Trudeau isn91裸聊视频檛 beaten in the next election, he will leave the next generation of Canadians, those thousands of millennials I91裸聊视频檝e been talking about, with a mountain of debt and high taxes. This cannot be allowed to happen,91裸聊视频� O91裸聊视频橪eary said Wednesday.
91裸聊视频淭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.91裸聊视频�
Prior to Wednesday, O91裸聊视频橪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 O91裸聊视频橪eary91裸聊视频檚 name is included. His campaign claims to have signed up just over 35,000 people, and there91裸聊视频檚 no guarantee any or all will agree to back Bernier.
The winner will be announced May 27.
