There will be another Windsor-area race without an incumbent in the next provincial election.
Essex MPP Taras Natyshak of the NDP announced Friday that he will not seek another term at Queens Park in next year's provincial election. He expressed a desire to spend more time with his family.
"This choice is bittersweet. I fully believe Andrea Horwath will be elected premier in 2022. It was incredibly difficult to choose not to be a member of her caucus as we form a government that’s in it for everyday people," said Natyshak in a media release. "After a decade of splitting time between Essex and Queens Park in Toronto, what’s right for my family now is for me to be with them full time."
Natyshak, 44, is the second NDP member from Windsor-Essex that will not stand for the party in the spring. Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Percy Hatfield announced in July that he would retire.
He also expressed his thanks to his Essex constituents, outlining what he accomplished since being first elected in 2011.
"I am forever grateful to the people of our amazing community who have entrusted me to fight on their behalf to make our province a better place for all," said Natyshak. "I am proud of the work I’ve been able to do to secure critical investments in our community such as the new regional hospital and Highway 3 widening. And I cherish the opportunities given to me to fight to maintain thoracic cancer surgery and neonatal care for and on behalf of our community."
Natyshak also vowed to continue supporting the NDP with the hope of getting Andrea Horwath elected premier in the next election.
He had unsuccessfully run as a federal candidate for Essex in 2006, 2008, and 2011. He turned his attention to provincial politics that year and beat PC candidate Dave Brister for the open Essex seat in Toronto. He was reelected in 2014 and 2018.
