[4] Previously, he was a former Conservative political staffer and a policy and government relations manager with Grain Growers Canada.

[5] On January 25, 2023, Leslie announced that he was running for the Conservative nomination in Portage—Lisgar to succeed Bergen, the party’s former interim leader.

[5] On April 28, Leslie was selected by members to become the party candidate defeating prominent candidates such as former Morden-Winkler MLA and former Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba cabinet minister Cameron Friesen and Lawrence Toet, who was the MP for Elmwood—Transcona during the 41st Canadian Parliament (2011–2015).

[7] During the by-election, Leslie was challenged and defeated the far-right leader Maxime Bernier of the People's Party of Canada.

[8] Leslie revealed that he is pro-life[9] and was captured on video saying that he would have voted against the ban on conversion therapy and supportive of the Freedom Convoy.