Bill Blaikie, shown in March 2007, won't be a candidate in the upcoming leadership convention to replace outgoing Premier Gary Doer. (John Woods/Canadian Press)

Longtime New Democrat Bill Blaikie says he is not interested in succeeding Premier Gary Doer as leader of the party in Manitoba.

Blaikie was widely considered an heir apparent when he left federal politics last year and moved on to the provincial scene by winning a byelection in March 2009. But on Tuesday he announced he would not seek the leadership in next month's convention.

"I'd hoped that I would serve some time with Gary Doer. I was surprised by the announcement as everybody else was [but] I'm happy for the country and I'm happy for him," he said.

However, Blaikie's commitment to the party remains as strong as ever, and he is looking forward to working with the person who dons the premier's cap following the leadership convention on Oct. 17.

"I hope that whoever the new leader and premier is, will feel that I can make a contribution," he said.

Doer, who has been the party leader since 1988, and the premier of Manitoba since 1999, surprised many political observers by announcing on Aug. 27 that he was stepping down. The next day he was introduced in Ottawa by Prime Minister Stephen Harper as Canada's next ambassador to the United States.

A leadership convention has been set for Oct. 16-17 with the new premier to be named on the final day.

No one has yet come forward as a potential candidate, and Blaikie, who represents the Winnipeg riding of Elmwood, did not say whom he would like to see take a run at the leadership.

"I won't be one of them. That's the bottom line for me," he said.