Candidate ends his bid for Conservative nomination in Poilievre’s former riding

By Canadian Press on April 2, 2026.

OTTAWA — The man who announced he was seeking the Conservative nomination in Pierre Poilievre’s former riding of Carleton in February now says he’s dropping out of the race.

Blair Turner, a police officer from the Ottawa area, ran for the Tories in Ottawa South in the federal election last April and lost to Defence Minister David McGuinty.

Poilievre lost the seat he had held for 20 years and had to run in a byelection in a rural Alberta riding last summer.

Former MP Damien Kurek, who stepped down to let the party leader run in Battle River—Crowfoot, will be the Conservative candidate in that riding next election.

It’s not clear yet where Poilievre intends to run.

Turner’s social media post does not give a reason for his withdrawal from the nomination race but says he continues to support Poilievre and the Conservatives.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.

Canadian Press Staff, The Canadian Press