Belinda Stronach Wins Nomination for Canadian Race

Belinda Stronach, daughter of Magna International owner Frank Stronach, won the Conservative Party nomination in Canada March 9 over Lois Brown, a long-time Canadian Alliance worker.

Belinda Stronach is the former chairman of Magna. The Globe and Mail newspaper reported she defeated Brown by only 100 votes in balloting in Newmarket-Aurora, Ontario.

"I'm excited about tonight," Stronach told the newspaper. "I think it's showing that we are continuing to build momentum. It was a big step for me."

Stronach, who hopes to become prime minister of the country, is challenging former Alliance leader Stephen Harper and former Ontario Tory health minister Tony Clement for the leadership. She is being assisted by many of the backroom organizers who helped the Ontario Progressive Conservatives through three election campaigns. She was also endorsed by former Ontario premier Mike Harris, who attended last night's meeting.