Interim leader Ric McIver not entering Alberta PC leadership race

Interim leader Ric McIver announced Monday that he will not seek the permanent leadership of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party.

"I'm considering what is best for Alberta, what's best for my family [and]what's best for me," McIver told reporters. "But I think our party right now, while we're picking a leader, could use as much stability as we can have.

"I think I will try to be part of trying to provide that."

McIverbecameinterim leaderafter Jim Prentice stepped down after the NDP ended the PC's 44-year lock on power on May 5, 2015.

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Six candidates are currently in the race to replace Prentice: former Conservative MP and cabinet minister Jason Kenney, Calgary lawyer Byron Nelson, current MLAs Sandra Jansen and Richard Starke, and former cabinet members Stephen Khan and Donna Kennedy-Glans.

McIver said he is currently not throwing his support behind any candidate. Two members of the PC caucus are in the race and he wants to keep working with them, he said.

Candidates need to submit a $30,000 non-refundable entrance fee and a $20,000 compliance fee by noon Thursday. They also need 500 signatures from party members in all regions of the province.

The party will choose a permanent leader ina delegateconvention in March.