Murray drops race bid

TORONTO—One of the candidates to replace Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty dropped out of the race today, throwing his support behind former education minister Kathleen Wynne.
“I think the best chance for the renewal I want to see in Ontario and in the party, and the person who is better able to get us there than I am, is my friend, Kathleen Wynne,” Glen Murray told cheering Wynne supporters.

“And because I believe that renewal is more important than anything else, and because I simply believe she is the best person to be premier of Ontario, she has my full and unqualified support,” he added.
Murray’s decision, which comes just days before Liberal delegates are selected for the leadership convention, leaves six candidates in the race.
But he felt strongly that he had raised important ideas during the past few months.
“I started down this path because I wanted to bring a sense of renewal, new energy, new ideas, and new people, but I’ve always said you have to pause in life sometimes to never put your own political career ahead of ideas and public service,” he remarked.
“While I’m proud of my team and the efforts we’ve made, it’s very clear to me that Kathleen Wynne embodies much of the ideas, compatible values, and incredible capacity to bring people together and to lead, a woman who’s not afraid to make tough decisions.”
Wynne called Murray “a class act,” and said he would play a “senior role” in her cabinet if she becomes premier.
“I need his ideas, and Glen brings fantastic imagination and experience that I need on my team.”