When the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba elects a new leader in the coming months, do not expect Kelvin Goertzen's name on that ballot. Goertzen has made it clear that he will not be running for the Conservative leadership position.

News of a leadership change came about on Tuesday when Premier Brian Pallister announced that he will not be seeking re-election and that he will step down prior to the next election, in order for a new leader to take his seat. Since then, there has been much speculation as to whether the Steinbach MLA and Deputy Premier of our province, Kelvin Goertzen might eye that seat. Goertzen has laid to rest any such thoughts.

"For me, the last eighteen months, like for a lot of people, it's been a real challenge for my family, for my wife, for my son and I think that has to be my primary focus," shares Goertzen. "Beyond that, I think my role is more at this stage of my career, helping the party through this interim period and this transition."

amily, but then also to support the party and the government in that transition."

Meanwhile, Goertzen says the last 18 months have been incredibly difficult on the Premier, and his decision does not come as a complete surprise.

"I don't think anybody should question the incredible difficulty and strain that this has placed on people and I've seen that in Brian and in his family," notes Goertzen. "And so I wasn't expecting necessarily the decision to come at this point, but I wasn't entirely surprised either because I know how difficult it's been."