Earle McCurdy in the running for NDP leadership

Former Fish, Food and Allied Workers union president Earle McCurdy said Tuesday he's running for the leadership of the provincial New Democrat Party.

McCurdy announced his decision to a crowd of supporters at the Ramada Hotel in St. John's at 11 a.m.

Among them, NDP MP Ryan Cleary, who said he will not seek the leadership, and instead will throw his support behind McCurdy.

St. John's Centre MHA Gerry Rogers said she will also support McCurdy in the leadership contest.

• Earle McCurdy stepping down from helm of fisheries union
• FFAW re-hires Earle McCurdy 2 days after retirement

"I don't mind challenges," Earle told a crowd of supporters, "I relish them and the crocheting lessons weren't going so well anyway."

The long-time union head stepped down as FFAW president in Nov. 2014, after more than a decade at the helm. 

Two days after his retirement, the FFAW offered McCurdy a new role to help with special projects, as well as the transition process as new union president Keith Sullivan got situated. 

McCurdy expressed interest in running for the NDP leadership after Lorraine Michael announced last week that she would be stepping down as leader.

During his announcement, McCurdy said the recent Liberal byelection sweep was the tipping point in helping him decide to throw his hat in the ring. 

He told supporters the province needs to get its "democratic deficit" in order, and added that Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province with no public accountability committee structure. 

• NDP leadership tracker: Who's in, who's out, who's undecided
• Lorraine Michael stepping down as NDP leader

"It's a serious decision, it's a job with a lot of responsibility, it's not something you rush in to … so I'm going to give it full consideration and reflection. It won't be imminent that I decide, but I will certainly think about it," McCurdy told CBC News at the time. 

Former NDP executive member Chris Bruce has not ruled out running for the party's leadership.

The NDP executive will finalize details of the leadership convention Tuesday night, including where and when it will be held.

Party president Kathleen Connors had previously stated that the party was aiming for March.