David Alward resigns as leader of N.B. Progressive Conservatives

WATCH: David Alward announces his resignation as leader of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative party.

David Alward is stepping down as the leader of the New Brunswick Progressive Conservative Party.

The former premier made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday after congratulating Premier-designate Brian Gallant on his election victory.

READ MORE: New Brunswick election coverage and results

Gallant’s Liberals won 27 seats in Monday’s provincial election, while the Tories captured 21 and  the Green Party took a single riding.

Alward, pausing several times as his voice cracked with emotion, thanked all his candidates, staff and volunteers and said he was proud of the campaign his party ran.

He becomes only the second premier to fail in his bid for a second term in the province’s history.

Alward said he will continue to serve as the member of the legislature for Carleton, a riding he won by nearly 2,500 votes over Liberal candidate Tom Reid.

The election was marred by problems in counting the ballots.

Alward said he was “deeply disappointed” in the results, and that the Progressive Conservative party would participate in any review process surrounding vote counting, regardless of the ultimate outcome.

He said Elections New Brunswick has an obligation to make sure the count was done correctly.

In a statement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper thanked Alward for “his contributions to New Brunswick and to Canada during his time as leader.”

Gallant said in his own statement there is “no doubt” Alward governed the province during difficult times.

“We haven’t always agreed on the proper path forward, but never have I doubted his deep commitment to our collective well-being,” he said.

Alward was the second party leader to step down in as many days after NDP leader Dominic Cardy resigned following his own loss on Monday night.

With files from The Canadian Press and Laura Brown, Global News