NATHAN Cullen, MLA for Stikine and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Immigration for B.C., on Tuesday announced on Twitter that he “will not be entering the leadership race to become the next leader of the BC NDP and Premier of British Columbia.”

Cullen thanked “all who reached out with advice, encouragement and caring,” adding, “your support & insights I value more than you can know.”

In his letter announcing his decision, he said he had spent the past week reflecting and had decided that this is not the time to run for leader of the NDP. “My kids are still young and I want to focus my attention on the needs of my family and serving the people of Stikine as MLA,” he said.

Cullen said: “Less than two weeks ago today, Premier John Horgan announced he would be stepping down as leader. I had hoped that he would take us through to the next election and had made no plans to run if he decided not to. I am sorry to see him leave his position and the steady leadership he has brought to our province, yet happy for the time he and Ellie will now have together.

“After John announced he would be stepping down, many people I trust and admire asked me to consider throwing my hat into the ring. I felt I needed to honour these requests with the time and effort they deserve.”

Last week, Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation and MLA for Delta North, had announced that he would not be seeking the BC NDP leadership and had instead endorsed David Eby, Attorney General, for the position.

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