Sarnia-Lambton's Green Party candidate in the last two provincial elections has decided to pass the baton to someone else.
Kevin Shaw has announced he won't be running in the next Ontario vote to be held on or before June 2, 2022.
"I think I decided pretty soon after the 2018 election, that I probably wouldn't run again," said Shaw. "I think running twice I enjoyed the challenge, but I think it's time for someone else to step forward and see if they can take the Green Party mantle here in Sarnia-Lambton."
Shaw received 1,856 votes or 3.65 per cent of the total votes cast in the riding nearly three years ago.
He's not aware of anyone interested in stepping into his shoes just yet.
"I think a lot of the attention is being paid to the federal level of politics. It seems like there's some suggestions that we may have an election this year, federally, so I think a lot of the attention has gone there."
He said that's part of the reason for making it known that he wasn't going to run again next year.
"It's to give some people time to consider if they wanted to run before next year, because it's a big commitment. I know Mike Schreiner, in Guelph, who was successfully elected as a Green Party member of provincial parliament, was able to do that because he was able to dedicate (his time) on a full time basis for a year or two ahead of the election, and that's really what it takes."
Shaw plans to shift his focus to more localized issues now.
The Great Lakes Secondary School math teacher was born and raised on a farm near Brigden and now resides in Petrolia.
Bob Bailey was re-elected to a fourth term in 2018, after receiving 26,811 votes, or 52.75 per cent of the ballots cast.
