Conservative Party Leadership Election Campaign

[FallenPixels]

He is not, but it is not needed. Obviously they would run for a seat at the next available opportunity but it is a risk

When John Tory won the leadership of the PCs in Ontario, a politician resigned her "safe seat" to allow him to run only to have him lose the seat and have to resign as Leader.

Is O'Leary an MP? Or is not not needed to be leader of a major political party in Canada?

[Darth Penguin]

He is not, but it is not needed. Obviously they would run for a seat at the next available opportunity but it is a risk

When John Tory won the leadership of the PCs in Ontario, a politician resigned her "safe seat" to allow him to run only to have him lose the seat and have to resign as Leader.

So..are there any vacant seats available for O'Leary to run in at the moment? safe or not?

[FallenPixels]

There are 3 vacant seats
Calgary Midnapore (Kenney's old seat) and Calgary Heritage (Harper's old seat) plus Ottawa Vanier which was Liberal.
All are supposed to have elections fairly soon so not sure if nominations have closed (or the PC nominations at least).

But he has said he won't seek a seat right away and may even continue filming Shark Tank after becoming leader

[Patty Smyth]

Doesn't he have to sign up a certain number of members in order to run?

[FallenPixels]

Doesn't he have to sign up a certain number of members in order to run?

He would have needed them for his nomination form so he clearly had enough

[Darth Penguin]

O'Leary drops out of leadership race; will endorse Maxime Bernier

Kevin O'Leary is dropping out of the Conservative leadership race and will endorse Maxime Bernier, multiple sources tell CBC News.
The businessman and reality TV star is ending his campaign only hours before the last leadership debate in Toronto, and two days before party members can start casting their ballots.
O'Leary is confident he could win the Conservative race, but now believes he cannot defeat Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the next election.
He has cited his failure to gain traction in Quebec and his poor French-language skills as reasons for dropping out of the leadership race.
O'Leary has spent the better part of his relatively short campaign — he entered the race in January — taking jabs at Trudeau, branding the prime minister "surfer dude" and calling his leadership a "disaster" for the country. He has also said Trudeau negotiating with U.S. President Donald Trump is like "Bambi versus Godzilla."

[Natalka]

Well, I did not see that coming...

On his twitter page, he says he's going to be in the debate tonight

https://twitter.com/kevinolearytv/with_replies

[Natalka]

Today's the day!

Awaiting results...

Nice tribute to Rona Ambrose from her husband.

[Lynn49]

I'm actually watching a Conservative leadership election and paying attention........my DD must be rubbing off on me...

[GoodBoy]

I'm actually watching a Conservative leadership election and paying attention........my DD must be rubbing off on me...

Have a drink - the feeling will go away!

[Lynn49]

Ooooo...not a walk-on for Bernier.....

[Natalka]

first ballot results

Oy, O'Leary 11th place...

8th - Raitt
7 - Leitch
6 - Lemieux
5 - Chong
4 - Trost (what a surprize)
3 - O'Toole
2 - Scheer 21%
1 - Bernier 29%

So it IS a race. Onto the second choices.

[GoodBoy]

[Lynn49]

Well that would just be embarassing...

[Natalka]

Round 7
8th place: Lisa Raitt, 3.74 per cent
7th: Kellie Leitch, 7.45 per cent
6th: Pierre Lemieux, 7.58 per cent
5th: Michael Chong, 7.97 per cent
4th: Brad Trost, 8.47 per cent
3rd: Erin O'Toole, 11.32 per cent
2nd: Andrew Scheer, 22.97 per cent
1st: Maxime Bernier, 30.51 per cent