Saganash considering NDP leadership run
Cree leader from northern Quebec was one of the NDP's 'star' recruits
The Canadian Press
Posted: Sep 2, 2011 3:05 PM ET
Last Updated: Sep 2, 2011 3:45 PM ET
Cree leader Romeo Saganash was one of Jack Layton's star candidates during the last election campaign. Now the rookie MP from northern Quebec is considering a run to succeed Layton. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
One of the NDP's star Quebec candidates in the last election says he has not ruled out a run at the party's leadership.
Romeo Saganash, a former Cree leader who was elected in northern Quebec, will make his decision after the party finalizes the leadership rules on Sept. 9.
Saganash, 49, said Friday he wants to focus on setting up additional constituency offices in his riding, which covers more than half of the province.
"It (the leadership) is not my priority right now," he said after a speech to students at the Universite de Montreal.
"I have a lot of work to do and a lot of groundwork to do in my riding, which is one of the largest in the country.
"Secondly, the rules of the election for the new leader are not determined yet. I will wait for that moment to evaluate and analyze the situation at that time."
He joins an already long list of NDP notables who are thinking about whether to enter the contest to replace Jack Layton.
They include deputy leader Thomas Mulcair and party president Brian Topp.
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