The Tory leadership race: who is in, out and still testing the waters

OTTAWA — The list of those interested in running for leadership of the Conservative party continues to lengthen, with former MP Andrew Saxton’s name being the latest to surface.

Here’s a look at who else is on that list:

Officially in the pool:

Kellie Leitch. The pediatric orthopedic surgeon first elected as an MP in 2011 was the first to register and so far appears to have raised the most money, collecting $234,785.60 in the second quarter of the year.

Maxime Bernier. The Quebec MP filed his papers a few days after Leitch and has already outlined several key policy positions. He came in last in fundraising last quarter, but one analysis recently found he has racked up the most endorsements.

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Michael Chong. The Ontario MP, a longtime champion of democratic reform, is spending the summer holding fundraisers to bolster his campaign coffers. He came in second in the first round of fundraising, raising $84,689.38.

Tony Clement. Also from Ontario, the former cabinet minister lost to Stephen Harper for leadership of the party in 2004 and is trying again. His name topped a recent poll of Conservative voters asked to choose among the officially registered candidates.

Dipping toes in the water:

Deepak Obhrai. One of the longest-serving members of the current Conservative parliamentary caucus, he sent an email to his fellow MPs last month saying he’s going to join the race. He’s yet to be officially listed by the party as a contender.

Brad Trost. First declared his interest in running after the party dropped a policy widely seen as opposing gay marriage in May. Sent a note to supporters this week saying he’s decided to go for it and is now in the process of raising funds and collecting the necessary signatures.

Still unsure:

Erin O’Toole. After saying no to the idea for months, last week word got out that the Ontario MP and former veterans affairs minister is now contemplating a run after some party pressure.

Lisa Raitt. The popular Tory MP from Ontario recently told the CBC she is leaning towards running.

Peter MacKay. The former cabinet minister from Nova Scotia now working as a lawyer in Toronto has long been considering a run.

Andrew Scheer. The former Speaker of the House of Commons is spending the summer weighing his options.

Steven Blaney. The Quebec MP was one of just five the Tories managed to elect in the province in the 2011 election and he helped bolster support there ahead of last year’s campaign, which saw a dozen Conservatives elected.

Kevin O’Leary. The popular TV personality and businessman first mused about running for the leadership earlier this year. He only took out a party membership in May, ahead of the convention.

Dan Lindsay. The former president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba announced in May he was forming a committee to explore a possible leadership campaign.

The Canadian Press