Hunter elected leader of Sask. Green Party

Regina’s Naomi Hunter is the new leader of Saskatchewan’s Green Party.

Hunter won on the first ballot during the party’s leadership convention Saturday in Regina, defeating George Wooldridge and Maria Lewans.

“I promise to be an excellent voice for nature (and) I promise to keep us in the news,” Hunter said during her victory speech. “I promise to be an excellent voice in the (provincial legislature) right after this election.”

A provincial election is to be held this year.

“Naomi brings a positive vision and determination to the party and we are lucky to have her experience leading us into this election year,” the Green Party said in a social media post.

Hunter ran for the Green Party of Canada in the Regina-Lewvan constituency in October’s federal election, finishing fourth with 2,099 votes. Warren Steinley of the Conservatives won the seat with 27,088 votes, ahead of the NDP’s Jigar Patel (14,767 votes), Winter Fedyk of the Liberals (6,826) and Hunter.

Provincially, Hunter replaces Shawn Setyo as the Green Party leader. Setyo stepped down in November for what the party called personal reasons.