Conservative MP Jake Stewart says he won't run in upcoming election

Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative MP Jake Stewart will not be a candidate in the federal election expected to be called soon, Stewart announced in a social media post Thursday.

Stewart wrote that as he enters his 18th year in electoral politics, "I have come to realize the toll it's taken on my family and my health. Therefore, I will not be re-offering in the upcoming election."

Stewart has not responded to an interview request.

The first-term MP's announcement follows criticism by Conservatives in the riding, including two-time federal candidate Mike Morrison.

Morrison told CBC News last week that he doubted Stewart could win the riding again because of feuds between Stewart and former staffers and party volunteers.

The financial agent for the Miramichi-Grand Lake Conservative riding association resigned in January, citing a "toxic and manipulative atmosphere" in Stewart's office.

In January, a House of Commons lawyer sent Morrison's son Shawn, who had worked on Stewart's office, a cease-and-desist letter, telling him to stop contacting Stewart's wife and his office.

His riding office on the King George Highway was also closed for several weeks, with a sign in the window saying it was for "security reasons."

Stewart had already been nominated as the Conservative candidate for the federal election that could be called as early as next week.

Fredericton-Grand Lake Progressive Conservative MLA Kris Austin told CBC News he may try to run as the federal candidate in Stewart's place.

"I was quite surprised at the news, but as a result, it's something that I am considering, and I'm putting some thought into here over the next day or two," he said.

Austin said he'd received "several" phone calls and text messages encouraging him to run since Stewart's announcement. 

It's not clear what process the party will use to choose a new candidate, given the short timeline.

Kelly Wilson, the president of the party riding association, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday morning. 

Kevin Price, the New Brunswick representative on the federal Conservative Party's national council, said he would not comment on Stewart's decision.

Lisa Harris, who ran as the federal Liberal candidate against Stewart in 2021 and lost by fewer than 1,500 votes, announced last week she'll seek her party's nomination again.

She said Stewart's troubles played no role in her decision.

"Jake Stewart has nothing to do with me wanting to represent this wonderful community," she said in an interview.

But she added that with the U.S. tariff threat looming over the economy, she believes she can represent residents  "in a way that they deserve to be represented. … Constituents deserve to have an MP who is with them all the time, that they can find, [with] an office that is open."

Stewart was a Blackville municipal councillor and then served as a provincial MLA for 11 years before resigning in 2021 to run federally. 

He was one of the first MPs to endorse Pierre Poilievre to lead the party in 2022 and was appointed caucus committee co-ordinator, part of the leadership team, when Poilievre took over.

As a provincial member, he ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick in 2016 and was minister of aboriginal affairs in the Blaine Higgs government from 2018 to 2020.

Stewart said in his Facebook post on Thursday that being a politician was "incredibly hard for your family these days," and he thanked his wife Shannon and his four children for their support.

"I want you to know I have given my very best to local causes and I am forever grateful for all your support over the years from municipal through provincial to federal politics," Stewart wrote.

"I sincerely hope to have made a real, impactful difference in our community."