He attempted again to enter the legislature in a March 5, 2009 by-election but was defeated by the Liberal candidate.

The party's executive set June 27, 2009 as the date for the new leader to be announced over the objections of several MPPs who called for a September vote.

Candidates were required to register as such by April 17; in order to be able to cast a ballot it was necessary for one to have been a member of the party by May 14.

[2] Of the 25 members caucus, interim leader Bob Runciman remained neutral in the race and MPP Joyce Savoline did not endorse a candidate.

Christine Elliott, 53, was MPP for Whitby—Oshawa, first winning the seat in a 2006 by-election, and wife of Jim Flaherty.

[11] Elliott filed her nomination papers on March 31 and officially launched her campaign on April 3, 2009.

[15][16] Klees appeared on Reverend Charles McVety's television program on March 29 and said he would like to run.

Klees told CTV News that he decided to throw his hat into the ring "after very careful consideration.”[17] Randy Hillier, 50, was a rural activist and founder of the Ontario Landowners Association.