The Pollcast: Tony Clement in, Jason Kenney out of Conservative leadership race

The CBCPollcast, hosted by CBC poll analyst ric Grenier, explores the world of electoralpolitics,political polls and the trends they reveal.

The Conservative leadership race has been shaken up by the departure of Jason Kenney for a bid at provincial leadership in Alberta. But a new name was added to the list of candidates this week when Tony Clement threw his hat in the ring.

So what do this new entry and high-profile exit mean for for the leadership campaign?

• Podcasts: Subscribe to the CBCPollcast
• Tony Clement launches campaign to become next Tory leader

Alberta MP Jason Kenney has opted to head back home to try to win the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives, unite the right in that province, and defeat the New Democrats in 2019. It's a tall order.

But his decision to leave federal politics has made winning the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada a little easier for the contestants already in the race: Ontario MPs Michael Chong and Kellie Leitch and Quebec MP Maxime Bernier.

And now Tony Clement. The Ontario MP has been here before he ran for the party leadership more than a decade ago after the merger of the federal PCs and Canadian Alliance.He also ran for the leadership of the Ontario PCs in 2002. Both attempts were unsuccessful.

So will it be third time's a charm for Clement? And with Kenney out, who thinks they can fill the space Kenney would have occupied had he run for the federal party's top job?

Joining host ric Grenieron this week's episode of the Pollcastare Conservative insidersTim Powers of Summa Strategies and Chad Rogers of Crestview Strategy to break it down.

The CBC Election Pollcast15:42The latest on the Conservative leadership race

Jason Kenney out. Tony Clement in. Tim Powers from Summa Strategies and Chad Rogers from Crestview Strategy are back to discuss the latest developments of the Conservative race.

Listen to the full discussion above or subscribe to the CBCPollcast and listen to past episodes.

Follow ric Grenier, Chad Rogers, and Tim Powerson Twitter.

Download the CBC News app for iOS and Android