Jason Kenny says he will not run for leader of the United Conservative Party, which is effectively the end of his time as Alberta’s prime minister.
UCP released the results of its leadership review on Wednesday. Although Kenny won only a majority, with 51.4% voting in favor, he announced his resignation.
In the days since, questions have been circulating, including whether he will run in the next UCP leadership election. But during his CHED radio show on Saturday morning, Kenny confirmed that he would not run for party leader again.
“When you’re in a position like me, you have to judge,” Kenny said.
“It was clear to me that I could legally continue to have the support of the majority of voters. But that is likely to lead to even more distractions and divisions. “
In an e-mail statement Saturday, a Kenny spokesman confirmed to CBC news that he would not run in the upcoming UCP leadership race and would instead focus on continuity until a new leader is elected.
To review the leadership, party members were asked, “Do you approve of the current leader?”
There were 34,298 members who sent ballots by mail by the May 11 deadline, with 17,638 in favor and 16,660 against.
Earlier, Kenny offered to accept a 50% plus one for or against.
He adjusted the record while on air on Saturday morning, saying he never said he would actually stay if he won.
Kenny was surprised to see the close results, he added.
“I never expected to be in this job for a long time,” Kenny told CHED.
Please see my letter to pic.twitter.com/Q0ZSDVuIa4
– @jkenney
A party leader who has publicly announced his intention to resign must immediately send a written notice to the party secretary, UCP Management Guide countries. However, if the letter is not received within five working days, the resignation is accepted and the selection of management will begin.
On Thursday, Jason Kenny tweeted a photo of a letter announcing his intention to resign as UCP leader to party secretary Janice Net, copying party president Cynthia Moore.
The UCP must now set up a leadership selection committee to determine how the leadership race will take place.
The policy lists a number of eligibility criteria for candidates, including that they must have been a member of the party for at least six months – although this can be revoked – and that they must submit a nomination petition with at least 500 signatures from the party.
Brian Jean, the former leader of the Wildrose Party and current UCP Fort McMurray-Lac la Biche MLA, has previously said he wants to run for party leadership. Jean confirmed on Wednesday after Kenny announced his resignation that he intended to do so.
Daniel Smith, also a former Wildrose Party leader, has also previously expressed interest in the role and is planning a campaign.
Other possible contenders include ministers from Kenny’s Travis Tows cabinet, Doug Schweizer, Sonia Savage, Jason Nixon and Rajan Soney.
Kenny will remain Alberta’s prime minister until a new party leader is elected and sworn in.
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