Former PC candidate Shawn Driscoll takes 'full responsibility' for actions
PC Leader Rob Lantz asks Driscoll to resign after unresolved impaired driving charges in Alberta emerge
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- The charges against Shawn Driscoll have been withdrawn.
Former Progressive Conservative candidate Shawn Driscoll says he "takes full responsibility" for unresolved legal actions in Alberta seven years ago that lead to his resignation Wednesday.
Driscoll was charged with impaired driving and failing to provide a breath sample in Fort McMurray on July 31, 2008.
He was also charged that summer with failure to appear in court to answer to the impaired charges.
Two warrants for his arrest were issued in September of that year.
When contacted by CBC News Thursday, Driscoll did not want to do an interview. However he did issue a statement in an email.
"I take full responsibility for my actions and will take immediate steps to address my legal situation, which I mistakenly thought was long ago resolved," Driscoll said.
PC Leader Rob Lantz asked for Driscoll's resignation Wednesday.
Driscoll had been running in West Royalty-Springvale, District 15.
Lantz told media at a news conference Thursday that his office received a tip about Driscoll's past and did an investigation.
"There were many reasons why I had to make a difficult decision, the least of which was because Shawn Driscoll was working extremely hard and I believe he was on track to win the district," Lantz said.
"Unfortunately, an issue came to light that we were unaware of that we should have been made aware of and I think the decision I made underscores my commitment to changing the political culture in this province."
Lantz said Driscoll should have told the party about the legal issue as part of the accountability pledge each candidate signed with the party leader.
Future up to PC riding association
There is still time to replace Driscoll in District 15. The nomination deadline for candidates set by Elections PEI is Friday at 2 p.m.
A party spokesperson said the district association was meeting on Wednesday night to discuss if it wants to run another candidate.
The incumbent MLA in the district is Liberal backbencher Bush Dumville. The NDP is represented by Peter Meggs, while Charles Sanderson is running for the Green Party.
A close race in 2011
Having a candidate resign in mid-campaign is never good news for a party, but where this resignation happened is particularly bad news for the Progressive Conservatives.
District 15 was one of the closest races of the 2011 election, with Dumville winning it by just 63 votes. Winning this district is almost certainly a top priority for the Tories.
Even if the party can come up with a candidate by Friday afternoon, that person is going to be way behind on the door-knocking campaign, with just 18 days until the May 4 election.