Conservative MP Jake Stewart says he won't run in upcoming election
CBC
Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative MP Jake Stewart will not be a candidate in the federal election expected to be called soon, Stewart announced in a social media post Thursday.
Stewart wrote that as he enters his 18th year in electoral politics, "I have come to realize the toll it's taken on my family and my health. Therefore, I will not be re-offering in the upcoming election."
Stewart has not responded to an interview request.
The first-term MP's announcement follows criticism by Conservatives in the riding, including two-time federal candidate Mike Morrison.
Morrison told CBC News last week that he doubted Stewart could win the riding again because of feuds between Stewart and former staffers and party volunteers.
The financial agent for the Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative riding association resigned in January, citing a "toxic and manipulative atmosphere" in Stewart's office.
In January, a House of Commons lawyer sent Morrison's son Shawn, who had worked on Stewart's office, a cease-and-desist letter, telling him to stop contacting Stewart's wife and his office.
Stewart had already been nominated as the Conservative candidate for the federal election that could be called as early as next week.
Kelly Wilson, the president of the party riding association, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday morning.
Kevin Price, the New Brunswick representative on the federal Conservative Party's national council, said he would not comment on Stewart's decision..
Lisa Harris, who ran as the federal Liberal candidate against Stewart in 2021 and lost by fewer than 1,500 votes, announced last week she'll seek her party's nomination again.
Stewart was a Blackville municipal councillor and then served as a provincial MLA for 11 years before resigning in 2021 to run federally.
He was one of the first MPs to endorse Pierre Poilievre to lead the party in 2022 and was appointed caucus committee coordinator, part of the leadership team, when Poilievre took over.
As a provincial member, he ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick in 2016 and was minister of aboriginal affairs in the Blaine Higgs government from 2018 to 2020.
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