With the announcement Friday that Ryan Meili would be stepping down as the leader of the Saskatchewan NDP after a leadership convention selects a successor, many have already started speculating who will be the next person to lead the party. One name, however, is already out of the running before the race even starts. 

Trent Wotherspoon stated on social media Saturday that he will not be seeking the leadership of the party. 

Wotherspoon had run in the 2013 leadership campaign and in the 2018 leadership campaign. 

Detailing his reasons for not seeking the leadership this time, Wotherspoon pointed to his family, stating he isn’t prepared to be away and sacrifice time away from his family. He has put a large priority on being involved in his son William’s life for the next several years.  

“And very importantly, we have some exceptionally strong and exciting leaders that can bring new energy and change, an inspiring vision, fire in the belly and the needed ability to build the party, movement and the broad public support needed to win,” Wotherspoon added on social media.  

Wotherspoon did thank those who had been reaching out asking him to run. 

“The trust you’ve placed in me, now and in the past, is overwhelming and valued. But I want to be clear with all where I’m at.” 

Meili is serving as leader up until the date of the leadership convention. There is no word at this time when the party will meet to elect a new leader.