Herb Dickieson withdraws from P.E.I. NDP leadership race
CBC
Herb Dickieson is no longer in the running to be leader of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island.
The retired physician, former MLA and former party leader announced his withdrawal Tuesday morning, citing optimism and confidence in the next generation of leadership.
"It's not that I don't want it," Dickieson told Island Morning host Mitch Cormier.
"It's that we have some emerging energy and talent within the party, and I think it's time to pass the torch."
Dickieson was the first and remains the only NDP MLA elected in the province's history. He represented the party in the legislature from 1996 to 2000, and served as the party's leader from 1996 to 2002.
He announced his intention to run for the party's top job again in December 2025.
Dickieson said he will maintain an active role in the party.
"It's hard to keep me away from the New Democrats," he said.
"A lot of new talent has developed in the party and some great candidates want to run in the next election, so I'm going to be there to support them... in any way I can to make sure that we get our voice back in the legislature."
The NDP leadership convention is scheduled for Feb. 7, the same day the Progressive Conservative Party of P.E.I. is holding its own leadership convention. It wasn't immediately clear if there are other candidates in the running, or if the convention will go ahead as planned. CBC News has reached out to the party for clarification.
The leadership race follows the resignation of Michelle Neill, who stepped down in late August after holding the position since April 2022.
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