Federal Conservative leadership contender no more.

Tony Clement is pulling the plug on his campaign, saying he’s making the decision lightly but cannot expose his family to any further financial risk after falling short of goals he set when he launched his campaign in the summer.

In a video posted to his Facebook page, the former Harper cabinet minister says he set a series of benchmarks that he felt were necessary to achieve by the fall to ensure he had a viable chance of winning.

The 55-year-old Clement thanked the ”hundreds” of party members who’d supported him but says he’ll now turn his attention to serving interim leader Rona Ambrose.

The Parry Sound-Muskoka MP has not yet endorsed another candidate.

The federal Conservatives elect their new leader May 27, 2017.