The Pollcast: The impact of Peter MacKay's decision not to run

The CBCPollcast, hosted by CBC poll analyst ric Grenier, explores the world of electoralpolitics,political polls and the trends they reveal.

The Conservative leadership race was shaken up this week when Peter MacKay, a former cabinet minister and the last leader of the federal Progressive Conservatives, decided he would stay out.

He would have been seen as the front runner had he decided instead to throw his hat into the ring.But now that both MacKayand JasonKenney who is running for the leadership of the Alberta PCs have ruled out a bid, the leadership race has been blown wide open.

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Ontario MPs Michael Chong, Tony Clement, andKellie Leitch, Quebec MP Maxime Bernier and Alberta MP Deepak Obhraiare official contestants for the leadership.

Saskatchewan MP Brad Trost, former Ontario MPPierre Lemieux and Toronto-area consultant Adrienne Snow have all declared their intentions to run. Former Speaker of the House of CommonsAndrew Scheer has stepped down as the Conservative House leader, freeing him up for a run of his own.

And the list of contestants will likely not end there it could grow to include Ontario MPs Lisa Raitt andErin O'Toole, and businessman Kevin O'Leary, among others.

Back on the Pollcastwith host ric Grenierthis week to wade through the growing list of leadership candidates areConservative insidersTim Powers of Summa Strategies and Chad Rogers of Crestview Strategy.

The CBC Election Pollcast30:17Peter MacKay is out, now what?

We check in with Tim Powers and Chad Rogers to discuss the Conservative leadership race.

Listen to the full discussion above or subscribe to the CBCPollcast and listen to past episodes.

Past episodes with Chad Rogers and Tim Powers on the conservative leadership race:

• January: Your primer on the Conservative leadership race
• May:The state of the Conservative leadership race
• July:Tony Clement in, JasonKenney out

Follow ric Grenier, Chad Rogers, and Tim Powerson Twitter.