Rob Ford says Monte McNaughton should be the next leader of the Ontario PC party and the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP is happy to have the former Toronto Mayor in his corner.
McNaughton met with Ford on Friday at Toronto City Hall and says he's humbled by the councillor's endorsement.
He says it's important to bridge the gap between rural Ontario and the province's larger cities.
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McNaughton is one of five candidates running for the party leadership.
The others are Patrick Brown, Christine Elliott, Vic Fedeli and Lisa MacLeod.
The new leader will be announced May 9 at a convention in Toronto.