Avi Lewis has run twice unsuccessfully as a federal NDP candidate.

Avi Lewis will launch a bid to become leader of the federal New Democrats on Friday morning, according to his campaign manager.

Mr. Lewis, who is an activist, documentary filmmaker and former TV host, will make the announcement through a video posted to social media platforms and his leadership website, the campaign manager, Savhanna Wilson, said in an e-mailed statement.

The campaign will focus on “returning the NDP to its roots,” Ms. Wilson said. The official campaign launch will take place in Toronto next week.

Mr. Lewis’s roots in the NDP run deep: He is the son of former Ontario leader and diplomat Stephen Lewis and the grandson of former federal leader and architect of the party David Lewis. He is married to act

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