Conservative Quebec MP Alupa Clarke is throwing his support behind leadership candidate Maxime Bernier just two days before the French debate in Quebec City.

In an interview with La Presse, Clarke, a rookie MP from Quebec City, suggested a French-Canadian should lead the Conservative Party if the party wants to return to power. He also praised Bernier’s leadership, authenticity and his sensitivity to constitutional questions.

Conservative MP Jacques Gourde has already endorsed Bernier and four Conservative MPs have already endorsed candidate Andrew Scheer: Luc Berthold, Sylvie Boucher, Alain Rayes and Pierre Paul-Hus. There are only three Quebec MPs who have yet to endorse a candidates: Gérard Deltell, Joël Godin and Bernard Généreux.

Deputy leader Denis Lebel, a fifth, has to remain neutral.

Clarke is the seventh current MP to endorse Bernier. In addition to Gourde, former Conservative candidate Tony Clement, Tom Kmiec, Alex Nuttall and Dan Albas have all thrown their support behind the Beauce MP. Senators Nicole Eaton, Lynn Beyak and Stephen Green are also supporting Bernier.

But of the remaining Quebec MPs who have yet to endorse a candidate, rookie MP Deltell’s endorsement is considered the most sought after.

On Tuesday all 13 leadership candidates will take stage in Quebec City and show how effectively they can communicate in French. Last week candidates were taking classes in preparation.