Hants West MLA announces retirement after 15 years in politics
Whenever the next provincial election is called, one familiar name won’t be on the ballot in Hants West.
Longtime MLA Chuck Porter announced April 15 that he would not be reoffering.
In a statement issued by the Liberal cabinet minister, Porter said the decision didn’t come lightly.
“Representing the people of Hants West has been one of the greatest honours of my life, but after 15 years, it is time to turn the page. I will be forever grateful to my constituents for having placed their faith and trust in me,” Porter said in his prepared statement.
Porter, a former Tory, was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 2006. He was re-elected in 2009 and 2013 under the Progressive Conservative banner before leaving the political party to sit as an independent. He joined the Liberal caucus in 2016 and handily won re-election in 2017 as Hants West’s Liberal representative.
Porter has held various roles in cabinet over the years, most recently as the Minister of Lands and Forestry. He has served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Energy and Mines, plus has served as deputy speaker and ministerial assistant to the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board (Tangible Capital Assets/Infrastructure).
Porter is one of several prominent Liberal MLAs who have announced they are not seeking re-election. Among his Liberal colleagues who are not reoffering are former health minister Leo Glavine, the MLA for Kings West, former finance minister Karen Casey, and former justice minister Mark Furey.
In his statement, Porter said he enjoyed his career in public service and thanked everyone who helped him along the way.
“Thank you to my long serving constituency staff and my caucus colleagues, who have all worked tirelessly in represent the best interests of our community — and our province,” said Porter.
“Thank you to my family and friends for remaining my foundation of love and support, and for being with me every step of the way. I would not be here without all of you.”
Porter said he was “very optimistic” about the future of Nova Scotia due to the “continued hard work and dedication of this government.”
Prior to becoming an MLA, Porter served as a councillor for the Town of Windsor and worked as a paramedic.