Calgary NDP MLA Stephanie McLean won't run for re-election

StephanieMcLean, Alberta'sminister for the status of women and Service Alberta,announced Thursday she would not be seeking re-election in the next provincial vote.

TheNDPMLA for Calgary-Varsitybroke the news in astatement on Twitter, which saidserving in government was a great honour buther life's ambition has beenthe law.

"As a young lawyer, I am eager to pursue my practice. I have no doubt that all I have learned and come to appreciate in government will make [me] a better lawyer advancing the cause of justice in a meaningful, if less public, way," the statement read.

McLeanhad filed her nomination papers with Elections Alberta, but since changed her mind about running again.

She made history in the Alberta Legislature as the first MLA in the province to give birth while holding office.

In March, Calgary-Acadia MLABrandy PayneAlberta's associate minister of healthalso announced she would not run again for provincial office, saying she wanted to spend more time with her family.

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