Leslyn Lewis runs for Conservative leadership again — this time with a political track record

Leslyn Lewis became a star in the Conservative Party of Canada during its last leadership race.

Now she's making another run at the leadership — this time with a political track record that places her firmly to the right of the Conservative political spectrum.

Lewis officially announced her candidacy in a tweet on Tuesday, featuring a video of her speaking in the House of Commons. She accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of "failed leadership" and called for compassion for all Canadians.

"This isn't about who's right and who's wrong. It's about who gets to be a part of this conversation. And the only acceptable answer to that question is everybody, every Canadian,"​ she said.

Lewis was widely praised for her performance in the 2019 leadership race. She came in third overall and won the most votes of any candidate in the province of Saskatchewan — despite having no ties there.

Much of the attention Lewis attracted during the race focused on her approach to politics — described by one veteran conservative strategist as a "breath of fresh air."

A social conservative, Lewis told supporters about her own decision to not have an abortion after becoming pregnant while articling at a law firm. Her promise to unite the country and the party was a cornerstone of her campaign message.

Since that race, the lawyer with the PhD has become the MP for the Ontario riding of Haldimand-Norfolk. She wasn't given a critic portfolio by former leader Erin O'Toole, so the public hasn't seen much of her in the House of Commons. But Lewis has still found herself in the public eye at times due to her controversial statements.

Lewis has raised questions about the efficacy of vaccinating children. She has compared her treatment by the media to a lynching and has alleged Canada is the midst of a socialist coup.

In October, she spoke out after a House of Commons policy required everyone working in the House of Commons to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a medical exemption.

"The media and the power structure expect me to sit in the back of the bus. I won't!" Lewis tweeted.

"They will try to paint me as a reckless lunatic in order to lynch me into silence. I will always tell Canadians the truth, and no bully or threats will succeed against us!"

Lewis has not confirmed her own vaccination status, saying she believes in medical privacy.

She also used Twitter to question the plan to vaccinate children aged 5 to 12, prompting criticism from a public health official in her own riding.