'Draft Doug Ford' site urges him to run for PC leadership

A new website has popped up apparently calling for Doug Ford to take a run at being the next leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives.

The "Draft Doug Ford" website is touting his ability as a "natural born salesman" and his ability to capture a level of support in Toronto that has been difficult for the party in the recent past.

The website is similar in appearance to the website that was built for Ford's recent mayoral bid in Toronto.

It does not make clear who is behind the website, but claims it is "a group of grassroots people who believe Doug Ford is the only choice to save the Ontario PC Party."

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Ford has said he is considering running for the PC leadership. He recently came up short in his bid to become the next mayor of Toronto, placing second to John Tory in the polls on Oct. 27.

He entered the mayoral race after his brother Mayor Rob Ford had to abandon his own campaign due to illness.

Their late father was a Progressive Conservative MPP for a single term during the 1990s.

The Progressive Conservatives are in need of a new permanent leader after Tim Hudak stepped down earlier this year. SimcoeGrey MPP Jim Wilson is currently serving as the party's interim leader.

WhitbyOshawa MPP Christine Elliott is one of the highest-profile names making a bid to be the next PC leader. She previously sought the leadership back in 2009, when Hudak was elected as leader.

Lisa MacLeod, the MPP for NepeanCarleton, and Vic Fedeli, the MPP for North Bay, are also running for the leadership, as is Monte McNaughton, the MPP for LambtonKentMiddlesex. Barrie MP Patrick Brown also wants to be the next Ontario PC leader.

Candidates running for the PC leadership have until Jan. 30 to join the race.