Former premier Mike Harris says Progressive Conservative leadership hopeful Tim Hudak is the best "common sense" alternative to Dalton McGuinty's tax-and-spend Liberals.

Harris, who has plunged himself into the June 27 Tory leadership contest after years on the political sidelines, broke his silence on the race to the Toronto Star last night.

"Listen, there are four candidates. I know them all. They were all supporters of mine and they're all good people," he said at a party fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel.

"I just think Tim has the experience and the confidence to a) beat McGuinty and b) I think be a great premier for this province," said Harris.

"He's desperately needed – that small c-conservative philosophy that fights for lower taxes, that fights for middle-class, hard-working, working-class Ontarians," said the man who governed Ontario from 1995 to 2002.

"There's a lot of common sense missing and I think Tim can bring it. This province desperately needs a small-c conservative alternative and I think Tim's the guy who can bring it."

Harris, who has recorded a two-minute YouTube endorsement of Hudak that will be emailed to thousands of Tory members this week, is a hugely influential figure in the party.

His Common Sense Revolution of tax cuts and slashed spending is revered by Conservatives for its clarity and electoral success.

Hudak, who sat with the former premier at the TD Bank table at last night's event that raised $1.2 million for the Tories, sounded humbled by such a public endorsement.

"I'm pleased to have people on my campaign that know how to win elections," said the Niagara West-Glanbrook MPP.

MPP Frank Klees (Newmarket-Aurora), who served in Harris's cabinet, played down the fact his former boss is backing his rival.

"You can only vote for one person," said Klees, who earlier had alluded to Harris's integrity in his remarks to the 1,200 PC supporters in attendance.

MPP Christine Elliott (Whitby-Oshawa), who has styled herself as someone who can bring together Harris Conservatives and centrists who supported former leader John Tory, was also dismissive.

"The beauty of the one-member, one-vote system is that you have support across the province of Ontario – everyone's vote counts for the same value," said Elliott.

Randy Hillier (Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington), the self-described "dark horse" in the race, urged the Tories to move to the right.

"People don't want another Liberal party in this province," said Hillier.

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In terms of fundraising, Elliott has collected $438,745 from 292 donors, Hudak $319,020 from 284 donors, Klees $165,957 from 47 donors, and Hillier $91,909 from 70 donors.

There are about 43,600 party members eligible to vote in the June 27 contest – up from 8,500 a few weeks ago. Hudak sold 14,000 memberships, Klees, 9,800, Elliott 8,100, and Hillier 3,200.

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