Doug Ford is running for leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.

In a brief statement on Monday afternoon, Ford said “I can’t watch the party I love, fall into the hands of the elite.”

“I’m here to give a voice to the hard-working taxpayers of this province. People who have been ignored for far too long,” Ford said.

Last September, Ford announced that he would be throwing his hat into the Toronto mayoral election this year to continue his brother’s legacy and take on current mayor John Tory.

This isn’t the first time Ford’s name has come up in provincial politics. In 2014, Ford announced that he wouldn’t be running in the provincial election, but instead would be helming his brother’s re-election campaign for mayor.

A Forum research poll released on Friday found that Ford and Christine Elliot were favourites to replace former PC Leader Patrick Brown.

Last week, the Tories picked Vic Fedeli has their interim leader following Brown’s resignation after allegations surfaced of sexual misconduct.

Mayor Tory’s name has also been dropped when it comes to potential candidates to head the provincial PCs.

The Ontario PCs will select a new leader sometime before March, ahead of the spring election.