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 after 18 years in municipal, provincial and federal 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.”
CBC News is attempting to confirm the announcement with Stewart. He 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 was a provincial MLA for 11 years before resigning in 2021 to run federally.
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.
Stewart said in his Facebook post on Thursday that being a politician was “incredibly hard for your family these days,” and he thanked his wife Shannon and his four children for their support.
“I want you to know I have given my very best to local causes and I am forever grateful for all your support over the years from municipal through provincial to federal politics,” Stewart wrote.
“I sincerely hope to have made a real, impactful difference in our community.”
