Former Osgoode Township Mayor and Ottawa City Councillor Doug Thompson is pulling out of the race for the provincial Progressive Conservative nomination in the new riding of Carleton.
Thompson, who's 70, said that, after visiting residents across the riding, it became clear that he wasn't wanted by the party machinery.
"People were going door to door, slamming me -- not supporting another candidate, (but) saying maybe Doug's good for one term. Someone said maybe his health isn't that good," Thompson told CFRA's Morning Rush.
He said it was difficult to transition to the "rigid political party guidelines and philosophies," some of which he felt he could not support.
Thompson was also hearing from residents that they weren't enamoured by party leader Patrick Brown.
"There's not a good feeling for him," Thompson said.
"People just don't understand him, they don't feel that he has that charisma that is needed."
Thompson warns the Conservatives could lose the seat in the next provincial election.
"The incumbent is not there, so if the Liberals put in a crackerjack candidate, it could be a tough riding," he said.
Lawyer Goldie Ghamari and PC party staffer Brandon Purcell have announced their intention of running for the nomination.