Jeff Lehman Declines Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Bid

Jeff Lehman, the Chair of the District of Muskoka, announced he will not pursue the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party (OLP). In a social media update on Monday, he cited family priorities and commitments to his current position as the primary reasons for his decision.

Lehman expressed gratitude for the support he received, noting he was “honoured by the number of calls and messages” encouraging him to run. Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of prioritizing his family as they navigate his daughter Nova’s health journey. He stated, “I still believe public service is one of the highest callings, despite the many challenges that come with it.”

Lehman, who previously served as the mayor of Barrie, has been involved in municipal leadership for nearly 20 years. He ran as the Liberal candidate in the Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte riding during the 2022 provincial election but was narrowly defeated by the Conservative incumbent Doug Downey. Following that election, he transitioned to his current role as Chair of the District of Muskoka in December 2022.

Lehman’s Commitment to Public Service

In his statement, Lehman reiterated his dedication to the residents of Muskoka, affirming that he intends to uphold the promise he made to them. He reflected on the significance of public office, saying it provides an opportunity “to try to leave the place just a little better for our kids, that’s the most meaningful work possible.”

Lehman’s announcement comes at a pivotal time for the Ontario Liberal Party, which is preparing for a new leadership race following former leader Bonnie Crombie‘s decision to resign. Crombie announced earlier this month that she would step down once a successor is chosen, having received only 57 percent support in a recent leadership review, a result viewed as insufficient for her continued leadership.

No date has yet been set for the upcoming leadership contest. Lehman expressed hope that the OLP will adopt a format for the race that encourages broad participation. “Many good people are looking at the race and I encourage them all to seek the opportunity to serve,” he wrote.

As the Ontario Liberal Party moves forward, the absence of Lehman as a candidate may open the field for new leadership contenders who are ready to take on the challenges ahead.