A total of 21 of the 48 Sask. Party MLAs elected in 2020 will not be representing the party on the ballot this year.
Article content
Two more Saskatchewan government caucus MLAs have announced they will not seek re-election in the coming general election.
Saskatchewan Party MLAs Hugh Nerlien (Kelvington-Wadena) and Marv Friesen (Saskatoon Riversdale) made the announcement in a joint statement Monday.
Article content
Friesen is dealing with health issues “that make it difficult for him to continue,” the statement said.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Elected in 2020, Friesen first sought office in 2016. He has served on three listed committees, according to his profile on the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan website.
“It has truly been an honour to serve the people of Riversdale, Saskatoon and our great province,” said Friesen in the statement, which went on to thank the people of his constituency, Premier Scott Moe and his caucus colleagues.
Recommended from Editorial
Nerlien was first elected in 2016 and has served on many committees during his eight years as an MLA. He also served as legislative secretary to the minister of finance.
“After many long discussions, I have decided not to seek re-election this fall and will be focusing on spending more time with family,” said Nerlien in the statement, adding that serving as an MLA has been the “honour of a lifetime.”
Nerlien and Friesen were acclaimed as candidates for their constituencies on Aug. 14, 2023 and Aug. 15, 2023, respectively.
As the current session of the legislature draws to a close, the general election (to occur on or before October 28) is fast approaching. Out of the 48 Sask. Party MLAs elected in 2020, a total of 21 will not be representing the party on the ballot this year.
Advertisement 3
Article content
Four veteran MLAs announced their departures simultaneously in early February. Finance Minister Donna Harpauer (Humboldt-Watrous), Minister of Government Relations Don McMorris (Indian Head-Milestone), Minister of Crown Investments Corporation Dustin Duncan (Weyburn-Big Muddy), and Minister of Advanced Education Gordon Wyant (Saskatoon Northwest) represent 80 years of combined experience as MLAs and cabinet ministers.
Last August, Don Morgan (Saskatoon Southeast) announced that he would not seek re-election. Dana Skoropad (Arm River), Delbert Kirsch (Batoche), Fred Bradshaw (Carrot River Valley), Greg Ottenbreit (Yorkton), Ken Francis (Kindersley), and Gary Grewal (Regina Northeast) have also announced they will not run again.
Terry Dennis (Canora-Pelly) and Randy Weekes (Biggar-Sask Valley) both lost contested nominations in their constituencies, while Mark Docherty (Coronation Park) resigned and Lyle Stewart (Lumsden-Morse) stepped down for health reasons.
Derek Myers (Regina Walsh Acres) passed away after a battle with cancer.
Nadine Wilson (Saskatchewan Rivers) resigned from the Sask. Party government caucus in 2021 once it came to light she had misrepresented her COVID-19 vaccine status. She went on to be an independent MLA before forming the Saskatchewan United Party.
The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
Article content
