OTTAWA - One of the longest serving members of the Ontario legislature lost a bitter fight Thursday night to run again for the Progressive Conservatives.

Norm Sterling, who has represented the eastern Ontario riding of Carleton-Mississippi Mills since 1977, lost the Tory nomination for the Oct. 6 election to party newcomer Jack MacLaren.

Sterling had complained the party did nothing while fellow Conservative MPP Randy Hillier helped MacLaren try to defeat the 34-year veteran of the legislature.

MacLaren was a former member of the executive of the Rural Landowners Association, the same group Hillier led before he joined the Conservatives. MacLaren is a cash crop farmer who lives and works on his family farm.

Even a letter campaign by former premier Mike Harris failed to secure the nomination for Sterling, who had served in the Harris cabinet.

The nomination fight was a bitter one and Sterling even suggested that rural activists within the Landowners Association were seeking control of the party.

The rift widened when Hillier's friend, Conservative MP Scott Reid accused Sterling of neglecting his constituents.

Rick Johnson, a provincial Liberal, got involved when he sent a letter of complaint to Ontario's integrity commissioner.

He accused Hillier of "abusing taxpayer dollars" and using public resources for partisan activity -- a claim Hillier denied.

Johnson claimed MacLaren allegedly sent out a campaign email in February that contained links that were routed through Hillier's constituency website.

In a statement Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak welcomed MacLaren's candidacy and said they would "deliver change that will provide real relief to families, get government focused on the basics and make private sector job creation a priority."

Hudak also thanked Sterling for his distinguished career and dedication.

"From the days of the Bill Davis government to today, our Ontario PC Caucus has benefited from his experience, his leadership, his wisdom and devotion to serving the people of Ontario."

The Progressive Conservatives were in damage control earlier Thursday after a former candidate was charged with fraud.

Police say Salman Farooq faces 14 charges that include alleged mortgage and credit card frauds.

Farooq, 35, was the Tory candidate in the Pickering-Scarborough East riding, but stepped down recently citing health reasons.

Hudak was not available for comment, but party officials said they were unaware of the police investigation into Farooq's business dealings until the case became public Thursday.