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“He said goodbye to staff, thanked them for their hard work and continued service to the Premier and the people of Ontario,” said Laryssa Waler, Ford’s director of communications.

French exited quickly last week, handing in his resignation after botched patronage appointments of two people close to him put the spotlight on the staffer rather than the man at the top.

Over the weekend picking the next chief of staff for the premier became a bit of sport in conservative circles.

The final say will rest with Ford himself but several names, old and new, continue to rise to the top of the speculative heap.

Jenni Byrne — she left her position as Ford’s principal secretary in January for an appointment with the Ontario Energy Board. There was much rumour and speculation of clashes between herself and French when they both served. Byrne, who has extensive experience from her time in Ottawa serving Stephen Harper, would be an experienced manager for the premier’s office, the question is whether she would want to come back to political life.

Greg Harrington— until recently one of Dean French’s right hand men. That fact alone could be a blessing or a curse for his chances at the top job. He only just switched positions to take on the role of director of policy, a powerful position within government. If Ford decides to make a clean break from the French era then his chances are dashed.

Earl Provost — Provost is a strange animal in that he has both a long history of working with the Ford family in politics and he is a Liberal. He spent more than two and a half years working for Rob Ford when he was mayor. After that he was Executive Director of the Liberal Party of Ontario. Recently he has been working with the Ford government and is slated to become a trade rep for the province in Chicago. Well liked and respected in both parties his appointment would still rankle some PC stalwarts.