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The absence of what some in the party feel is a “true blue” voice in the contest — a role some saw as belonging to either Poilievre or Ambrose — put pressure on Baird to join.

His decision not to leave his life in the private sector will likely be a relief for the only other two candidates officially registered to run so far: his former cabinet colleagues Peter MacKay and Erin O’Toole.

Both men are pegged as being closer to the progressive wing of the party, though O’Toole in particular has taken a more right-wing tone since launching his campaign earlier this month.

Baird, 51, has been involved in politics since his teens. He parlayed a precocious career in Progressive Conservative activism to a spot as a member of Ontario’s provincial parliament, representing an Ottawa riding, and spent 10 years in the legislature before moving onto federal politics.

He became a federal MP in 2006 and went on to serve in four different cabinet portfolios under the Conservative government led by Stephen Harper, including four years as foreign affairs minister.

He left politics in 2015. He is a business adviser at Bennett Jones, a major law firm, and sits on several corporate boards.

“I look forward to an exciting leadership race, and I will continue to remain a proud Conservative activist and enthusiastically support the policies and principles of our party,” Baird wrote.

Potential leadership candidates have until Feb. 27 to enter the race, and Conservatives are to choose their new leader June 27.