I was advised by Karen Ludwig last evening that she would be stepping down as the Liberal candidate for the riding of St. Croix to accept a senior position with Yorkville University.

While we are disappointed to be losing Karen as our candidate, we understand that this decision was not an easy one, and was borne of Karen’s passion as an educator.

Although it was anticipated that the St. Croix by-election would be held this spring, like many other activities, the pandemic has caused it to be put on hold. It is hard to ask someone to put their life on hold indefinitely and so Karen’s decision to accept this exciting career opportunity is understandable.

I am confident we will recruit another quality candidate to represent our party in the upcoming bi-election. St. Croix has been too long without representation in the Legislative Assembly and we urge the Premier to call this bi-election and the bi-election for Shediac Bay-Dieppe prior to the fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly, taking into account the advice from Public Safety.

I’d like to thank Karen for her dedication to the Party and for her continued support. We wish her and her family nothing but the best moving forward.