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Milton MP Lisa Raitt officially launched her campaign for the Conservative party leadership today, she joins the crowded race to replace Stephen Harper. Raitt, the youngest of seven children who was raised by her grandparents down east, laucnhed her campaign by telling Conservatives she stands with the many Canadians struggling in this country, not with the privileged few.

Raitt faces some stiff competition for the role. 10 candidates have put their name in the hat, including Durham MP Erin O’Toole, Simcoe Grey MP Kellie Leitch, and Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong.

Henry Jacek, a political science professor at McMaster university, says the former Transport Minister is amoung the top contenders for the position and many residents in Milton say they think she’s up for the job.

Conservatives will elect their next leader on May 27th.