Tim Hudak elected leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives

Though it took three ballots, Tim Hudak won the leadership of Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives at the party convention in Markham on Saturday, beating Frank Klees, Randy Hillier and Christine Elliott, the wife of federal finance minister Jim Flaherty. Hudak, who has the backing of some high-profile federal Tories (John Baird, Tony Clement), will succeed John Tory, who resigned as leader in March after losing a key by-election. Though the party has moved to the political centre in recent years, many expect Hudak, a 41-year-old Niagara-area MPP, to swing the PCs firmly to the right. Hudak will get his first shot at the Premier’s office during the provincial election scheduled for 2011.

Toronto Star