Skeena-Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen announced today he will not be seeking the leadership of the federal NDP to replace Thomas Mulcair.
Cullen, first elected in 2004 to the riding, says he wants to focus instead on Canada's upcoming efforts in electoral reform.
"After some months of contemplation, I announced today that I will not be entering the NDP leadership race and instead [am] focusing my energy on helping improve our voting system along with working with the government to finally address our need to tackle climate change," he said.
"To all those who wrote and spoke to me over the last while, I am humbled by your support and honoured by the words you offered me.
"Our country is a truly beautiful place reflected by the integrity and generosity of its people."
Cullen ran against Mulcair in the party's 2012 leadership race, ultimately coming in third behind runner-up Brian Topp.
The party has opted for an extended leadership race to replace Mulcair and expects to choose a new leader sometime in the fall of 2017, with the nomination period set to begin next month.
Mulcair was flatly rejected as the party's long-term leader at a convention in Edmonton last month.