3 SW Ontario Tory MPPs back Mulroney in PC leadership race

A handful of Progressive ConservativeMPPs in southern Ontario have gone public today with their choice of leader in the fast-moving race to replace Patrick Brown as party leader ahead of the June 7 election.

The following Tory MPPs have thrown their support behind Caroline Mulroney:

• MonteMcNaughton, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
• Bob Bailey,Sarnia-Lambton
• Jeff Yurek, ElginMiddlesexLondon

Other southwestern Ontario Tory MPPs Ernie Hardeman(Oxford) and Rick Nicholls (Chatham-Kent-Essex) have yet to endorse a candidate in the leadership race that also includes former MPP Christine Elliott and former Toronto city councillor and mayoral candidate Doug Ford.

Brown stepped down in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations from two women. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Mulroney, the Toronto lawyer and daughter of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, confirmed Sunday that she would enter the race.

• Who's in so far in the Ontario PC leadership race

Just hours after confirming she was in the race, Mulroney received a key endorsement from another rumoured candidate. Former Postmedia executive Rod Phillips said he will not seek the leadership and will throw is support behind Mulroney.

Candidates have until Feb. 16 to register, and the new leader will be announced March 10.