Voting for the next Ontario P.C. leader begins March 2nd. And it’s no guarantee of a win, but former Progressive Conservative MPP Christine Elliott has taken an early lead in caucus support.

A Toronto Star report says Elliot has the public support of nine MPPs to five for Caroline Mulroney and one for Doug Ford.

Another five PC MPPs are staying independent in the race and seven are apparently undecided or undeclared.

The first of two Progressive Conservative leadership debates will be held in Toronto a week on Thursday February 15th. A second debate in the March 10th leadership contest to succeed Patrick Brown will be held at a later date elsewhere in the province.

Brown resigned on Thursday January 25th, hours after sexual misconduct allegations were reported against him by CTV News.

Postmedia’s Sue-Ann Levy told Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer, she’s skeptical that the PC’s will be proactive in launching an investigation into these claims.

“I think they’re going to focus on marching to victory and attention has already been diverted to the leadership race and I don’t think it’s going to happen,” Levy explained, “I think if it’s going to happen it’s going to have to come from Patrick and the loyalists around him and other media who may want to look into it.”

There has been speculation in recent days, including from PC leadership candidate Doug Ford, that Patrick Brown was brought down by members of his own party.