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While not mathematically impossible, a new Ontario Liberal leader who isn’t named Steven Del Duca is unlikely.

The former Vaughan MPP emerged from the Liberal Election Meeting (LEM) with 1,171 delegates out of a possible 2,724 — more than three times as many as his nearest competitor, Don Valley East MPP Michael Coteau.

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Ontario Liberals gather at the International Centre in Mississauga on March 6-7 to pick their first permanent new leader since voters snubbed them in the 2018 election.

Professor Genevieve Tellier, of the University of Ottawa School of Political Studies, said anything can happen at a delegated convention, and Del Duca is not believed to be the second choice of many delegates.

“But at the same time, I don’t hear a movement saying anyone but Del Duca,” Tellier said. “It would be a surprise to see anybody else winning at this moment.”

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Del Duca said he learned from his parents and grandparents that there’s no shortcut to success, so he’s been campaigning for just over a year, building a team and travelling to more than 150 communities.