Eric Lombardi Withdraws From Ontario Liberal Leadership Race, Endorses Lee Fairclough
Lombardi said fundraising setbacks and weak polling left him no path to victory as the field narrows to four candidates.
- On Wednesday, Ontario Liberal leadership candidate Eric Lombardi withdrew from the race and endorsed Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Lee Fairclough, citing fundraising challenges and polling data showing no path to victory.
- Lombardi, a 32-year-old who had never held elected office, knew running was a "tough sell," struggling to secure sufficient donations to reach the end without taking on debt.
- According to Elections Ontario data, Lombardi raised over $213,000, placing him fourth, while Fairclough holds second with over $376,000, trailing former federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains, who leads with more than $502,000.
- Lombardi endorsed Fairclough, describing her as "substantive and pragmatic" with an "incredibly open mind," and said he felt successful sharing his detailed platform despite the loss.
- Four candidates remain in the Ontario Liberal Party leadership race, including legislature member Stephanie Bowman and former political staffer Dylan Marando, with the new leader set to be announced Nov. 21.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Eric Lombardi withdraws from Ontario Liberal leadership race, endorses Lee Fairclough
Housing advocate Eric Lombardi has dropped out of the Ontario Liberal leadership race just over a month before online voting is set to begin. In a statement posted to X Wednesday evening, Lombardi said he did not have the confidence in fundraising to finish the race without taking on debt. “I always knew that running […]
I’m the 32-year-old who was running for Ontario Liberal leader. Now I’m withdrawing from the race. Here’s what I learned about politics
I’m the 32-year-old who was running for Ontario Liberal leader. Now I’m withdrawing from the race. This is what it taught me about the reality of politics in 2026
OLP leadership candidate Eric Lombardi withdraws from race
Ontario Liberal Party leadership candidate Eric Lombardi has ended his campaign.Lombardi, who describes himself as a “finance and technology entrepreneur turned civic builder, and a leading voice on housing reform, institutional renewal, and economic opportunity for Ontario’s next generation,” shared the news on a post on X that was made just after 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Record
The Hamilton SpectatorOntario’s Liberal leadership race down to four candidates
Long-shot candidate Eric Lombardi is out of Ontario's Liberal leadership race after failing to make a $25,000 payment to the party Wednesday.
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