Wotherspoon running for NDP leadership

August 17, 2017, 11:00 am

Regina Rosemont MLA Trent Wotherspoon has announced he is running for the leadership of the Saskatchewan NDP.

"I'm motivated about what we can build in this province, and I'm not going to stand by and watch our province be dismantled," said Wotherspoon to media in Regina Wednesday morning.

Wotherspoon was the interim leader of the Opposition NDP until he resigned in June. He stepped down from the role to consider running for permanent leadership.

When he originally took on the role as interim leader after the provincial election in 2016, Wotherspoon repeatedly said he had no intention of running for permanent leadership.

Wotherspoon said his change in position is simply a change of circumstance.

"If I knew that my motivations and my intent would have been different a year and some ago, obviously I would have expressed myself in a very different way," he said.

"In life, sometimes you face different realities and one can change their mind."

Wotherspoon said he looks forward to the leadership race.

"It's all about listening and addressing the realities that people are facing, and also speaking to the opportunities that exist and laying forward a progressive plan and vision to get there."

Saskatoon-Meewasin MLA Ryan Meili announced in May he would seek NDP leadership as well, his third bid for leadership after attempts in 2009 and 2013.

Wotherspoon will be in the Moosomin constituency Friday. He will be at a meet and greet at the Rocanville Community Centre Friday evening from 7-9 pm, following the Moosomin Constituency New Democrats annual meeting.