Housing advocate Eric Lombardi has withdrawn from the Ontario Liberal leadership race, citing concerns about fundraising just over a month before online voting commences.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Lombardi expressed his decision not to continue due to uncertainty in securing necessary funds without accumulating debt. Despite this, he expressed pride in the campaign he ran and the progressive ideas he promoted, acknowledging the challenges of being a young, unelected candidate in the race.
Lombardi affirmed his commitment to seeking future opportunities to contribute to the Liberal party, as well as Ontario and Canada. He also endorsed MPP Lee Fairclough from Etobicoke-Lakeshore, highlighting her qualities of determination and leadership potential. In his endorsement, he offered to provide advisory support to Fairclough on economic, housing, and infrastructure matters.
With Lombardi’s departure, the Ontario Liberal leadership race now features four remaining contenders: Fairclough, former MP Navdeep Bains, MPP Stephanie Bowman, and ex-political staffer Dylan Marando. Online voting is scheduled to take place from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20, with the announcement of the new leader set for Nov. 21.
