Running to lead the Conservative Party of Canada has been the privilege of a lifetime, says Haldimand-Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis, who finished third in the campaign.
The campaign has strengthened her love for Canada, Lewis said in a post on her social media page.
“I will continue to wholeheartedly serve Canadians as a member of Parliament and as a strong member of the Conservative caucus under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre,” Lewis said.
Poilievre received 68.15 per cent of the vote, while runner-up Jean Charest finished with 16.07 per cent of the vote. Lewis finished third with 9.69 per cent of the vote, followed by former Ontario MPP Roman Baber with 5.03 per cent and mayor-turned-MP Scott Aitchison with 1.06 per cent.
The results of the leadership race were announced on Saturday.
In her post, Lewis congratulated Poilievre on his successful campaign.
“I know he will be a fierce champion and strong leader not only for Conservatives, but for all Canadians,” Lewis said. “Pierre has my full support.
“It’s time now for our party to come together and unify around our new leader as he brings fresh vision, strength and unity to our team,” Lewis said. “Conservatives will be united in their love for Canada.
“We will win the next election, and together, we will build on our rich history to reach new heights and shine brightly again as the beacon of hope and freedom we were always destined to be.”
Poilievre won the leadership race on the first ballot receiving 22,993 of nearly 33,800 electoral points available. He was the party membership’s first choice in almost every riding, including Haldimand-Norfolk and Brantford-Brant.
In Haldimand-Norfolk, he received 2,242 votes or 100 electoral points, compared to Lewis who finished second with 1,298 votes and 58 electoral points.
In Brantford-Brant, he 100 electoral points or 1,804 votes. Lewis was the second choice of Brantford-Brant Conservatives with 1,191 votes votes or 66 electoral points.
This was Lewis’s second attempt to lead the party.
A former Bay Street lawyer, Lewis finished third in the 2020 leadership contest behind winner Erin O’Toole and Peter MacKay. In the September 2021 federal election, Lewis was elected as MP in Haldimand-Norfolk, succeeding longtime Conservative MP Diane Finley, who resigned prior to the vote.
In her social media post, Lewis also thanked her campaign team and supporters.
“I’m proud of what we have achieved together,” Lewis said. “I believe we’ve strengthened the spirit of hope across our country in the midst of the many divisions and challenges confronting Canadians right now.
“I’ve traveled across this beautiful country to every province and territory and met with Canadians from coast to coast to coast and I’ve seen the Canadian soul alive and strong.”
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