Two Saskatchewan Party MLAs not seeking re-election in 2024

Two Saskatchewan Party MLAs have decided not to run in the next provincial election.

Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit and Kindersley MLA Ken Francis won’t be running in 2024. A release from the Sask. Party didn’t provide reasons for their decisions.

According to the release, Ottenbreit was first elected to the Legislature in 2007. During his tenure, he served as Minister of Highways, Minister of Rural and Remote Health and government whip.

Francis won his seat in a 2018 byelection and then was re-elected in 2020. His roles in the government included deputy caucus chair and legislative secretary to the Minister of Trade and Export Development.

“Greg and Ken have both been an important part of our government and our Saskatchewan Party team and they will be missed,” Premier Scott Moe said in the release, which also listed the dates for 11 upcoming nomination meetings – including 10 ridings with Sask. Party candidates who are seeking re-election.

“At the same time, I’m excited about the MLAs who will be running again in 2024, and I know we will have a strong mix of experienced veterans and new faces representing the Saskatchewan Party in the 2024 provincial election.”

The 11th nomination meeting is to be held in the Saskatchewan Rivers riding.

Nadine Wilson is the MLA there; she was with the Sask. Party but was removed after misrepresenting her vaccination status. Now she’s the head of the Saskatchewan United Party.

Three byelections must be held this year to fill vacant seats, all of which were won by the Saskatchewan Party in the 2020 election.

Mark Docherty stepped down from the Regina Coronation Park riding in early February to pursue other opportunities.

The Regina Walsh Acres riding needs to find a new MLA after Derek Meyers passed away after a battle with cancer.

And voters in the Lumsden-Morse riding will go to the polls after Lyle Stewart stepped down for health reasons.