Ottawa Centre MP Paul Dewar said he's going to focus on connecting with people as he launched his campaign for federal NDP leader on Sunday.
Dewar made the announcement in front of his family and supporters at Ottawa's downtown Lord Elgin hotel, saying he wasn't seeking high-profile endorsements but instead focused on growing the party's base.
"There's 4.5 million Canadians who voted NDP," he said. "We need to invite them in and offer them a vision of Canada that I think people are thirsting for."
The 48-year-old Dewar has represented the riding since 2006, with a career as a teacher and union activist before he entered politics.
He is the son of former Ottawa mayor and NDP MP Marion Dewar.
He did acknowledge that he would have to work on his French in order to become bilingual.
"French is very important to me and I'm working on it every day," he said. "It's a challenge and I will overcome it and take on Prime Minister Stephen Harper in both official languages."
In his riding, reaction to his announcement was mixed.
"I think he is as good if not stronger than some of the other candidates announced so far," said Brian Alkerton.
"I don't think he'll make it," said Warren Brillinger. "He's not that experienced and he's not that well-known across the country."
"He listens to people, he's an effective person, very thoughtful," said Richie Allen.
The NDP leadership opened up with the death of Jack Layton, after a historic NDP breakthrough that saw the party become the official Opposition.
"We've been through a lot together in the past five months," Dewar said. "We've had the happiest of times and we've had the saddest of times."
Other leadership candidates include former NDP president Brian Topp, rookie Quebec MP Romeo Saganash and B.C. MP Nathan Cullen.
The new leader will be picked in March.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Karen Soloman
