Posted on 01/14/2004 8:28:03 PM PST by nypokerface
OTTAWA -- Belinda Stronach, the millionaire head of Magna International, has decided to seek the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, a campaign source said Wednesday.
''She's in the race. A formal announcement will be made next week. She's committed to the future of the party and she's committed to the future of the country.''
Stronach, 37, provides a much-needed injection of life into a leadership race that so far has been denoted by high-profile candidates opting out rather than in.
Two potential candidates, Tory leader Peter MacKay and Calgary lawyer Jim Prentice, announced this week that they won't be making a run.
Stronach's confirmation also comes on the heels of two days of high-profile MP defections that have painted the newly merged party as unwelcoming to socially moderate conservatives.
Only Stephen Harper, the former Canadian Alliance leader who helped negotiate the merger with the Progressive Conservatives, has formally launched a leadership bid for the March 19-21 vote.
Tony Clement, the former Ontario health minister, will announce Thursday morning that he is also running, while B.C. MP Chuck Strahl could announce as early as Friday.
But Stronach, as a political newcomer who's never been elected to public office, provides a truly fresh face to the party.
The daughter of auto-parts magnate Frank Stronach, she has been involved behind the scenes in Ontario and federal conservative politics for several years. She has promoted the participation of young Canadians in political life and is involved in a number of charities.
Her campaign team, sources said, includes longtime federal Tory pollster and strategist John Laschinger, Ontario PC strategist Jaime Watt, and Rod Love, a longtime Alliance and Reform strategist who helped bring Alberta Premier Ralph Klein to office.
Stronach may also get endorsements from Klein, former Ontario Premier Mike Harris and former prime minister Brian Mulroney, according to reports.
''It's going to be a very good campaign,'' said a source. ''You'll be surprised by the numbers.''
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