Saint John Mayor Mel Norton won't rule out PC leadership bid

Saint John Mayor Mel Norton is leaving the door open to a potential run at the provincial Progressive Conservative leadership.

Norton, who announced earlier this month that he would not run for a second term as Saint John's mayor, was asked if he planned to run the leadership of the provincial Tories at Monday's city council meeting.

• Saint John Mayor Mel Norton will not seek re-election
• Brian Macdonald launches Progressive Conservative leadership bid

Norton repeated his earlier statement about his intention to focus on his private life and on his law practice following the May municipal election.

But he did not rule out a leadership bid for the Progressive Conservatives.

"What I would say is I'm certainly looking for opportunities to continue giving back and to continue to be of service," Norton said.

Norton won his seat on Saint John council in a byelection in December 2010. He then defeated former mayor Ivan Court for the mayor's job in the 2012 election.

The leadership position opened up when former premier David Alward announced he would resign as the party's leader following the 2014 election loss.

The formal launch of the Conservative leadership race is expected later this month.

So far, only Fredericton West-Hanwell MLA Brian Macdonald has formally entered the leadership contest. 

Saint John is a powerbase for the Progressive Conservatives. The Tories hold all but one of the ridings that touch the city.