The leader of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party of Saskatchewan, Rick Swenson, announced Saturday that he is stepping down.
During an annual general meeting in Moose Jaw on Saturday, Swenson asked for a leadership convention to be held prior to the next general election.
“I have been leader of the PC Party of Saskatchewan for more than 10 years and have decided it is time for me to step down and let new leadership take the PC Party to the next level,” Swenson said in a release.
“The political landscape of Saskatchewan is changing on a daily basis and with new leadership occurring with most or all of Saskatchewan’s other political parties, it is imperative that the PC Party be part of this political renewal.”
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Swenson said he intends to keep serving the party but it will be in a different role.
He was first elected as an MLA for Thunder Creek in 1985 and then re-elected in 1986 and 1991. Swenson served as acting leader of the opposition in 1993 and 1994.
In 1995, Swenson retired from the legislature but returned in 2006 when his party ended its two-election hiatus and has led the Saskatchewan PC Party ever since.
During the 2016 Saskatchewan general election, Sask. Party incumbent Glen Hart retained his seat against Swenson in the Last Mountain-Touchwood riding. The PC Party of Saskatchewan garnered 1.28 per cent of the vote with 18 candidates running in April.
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