Former B.C. premier Christy Clark is out of the race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, just days after she had to walk back a claim that she was never a member of the Conservative Party.
In an interview that aired Saturday, Clark told CBC Radio’s The House she is “seriously thinking about” running to replace Trudeau.
She also denied ever being a member of the party.
Clark publicly endorsed Jean Charest in the Conservative leadership race in 2022, and said she intended to join the party to vote for her preferred candidate.
“I never got a membership and I never got a ballot,” Clark told CBC host Catherine Cullen.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party refuted Clark’s claims and provided a screenshot of their records.
“Well, I misspoke. Sh*t happens. Lesson learned,” Clark later posted on social media.
She added that she has always been clear that she supported Charest to stop Pierre Poilievre.
In a statement to supporters on Tuesday, Clark said there wasn’t enough time to mount a successful campaign.
The Liberal Party announced they will choose their next leader — and Canada’s next prime minister — on March 9. Hopefuls have until Jan. 23 to declare their candidacy. People can register with the party to vote in the leadership race up until Jan. 27.
Clark also said while she’s been working on her French, it isn’t at the level she wanted it to be.
“I won’t be in this leadership race, but I won’t stop fighting. [Conservative Leader] Pierre Poilievre would rather attack Canadians than call out Donald Trump,” she wrote.
“He’s a bully when he’s here at home and a pathetic pushover for the MAGA Republicans. We don’t need Governor Poilievre. We need the Liberal Party at the top of its game.”