Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski says he’s welcomes the close of the Progressive Conservative leadership race and is looking forward to fighting the 2011 Ontario provincial election under the leadership of Tim Hudak.

Mr. Hudak, 41, beat rivals Frank Klees, Randy Hillier and Christine Elliott Saturday afternoon to take over the provincial Tory party. More than 40,000 party members in Ontario’s 107 ridings were eligible to vote. Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke voted for Mr. Hudak on the first and second ballots. Results for the third ballot were unavailable at press time. Speaking from Markham, Mr. Yakabsuki told the Observer he expected the vote to go to three ballots.

“It was a spirited leadership contest with a lot of issues and a vision brought forward by four different but committed candidates,” Mr. Yakabuski said moments after Mr. Hudak delivered his acceptance speech. “Nobody expects coronations at these things.”

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