Kathy Dunderdale to step down as MHA

Former Premier Kathy Dunderdale announced on Friday that she would be stepping down as MHA for Virginia Waters by the end of the day.

Dunderdaletook over as premier after Danny Williams retired in late 2010.

Dunderdalestepped down as premier on Jan. 24. Until announcing her resignation as MHA on Friday, shehad made no public comment since then.

In a newsrelease issued on Friday, Dunderdalesaid she was grateful to the people of Virginia Waters for their support.

"I amhonoured by the support you have shown me throughout the past 10 and a half yearssince you first elected me, and I am deeply grateful to you for giving me the opportunity," Dunderdale said in therelease.

Cathy Bennett, the St. John's businesswoman who ran unsuccessfully for the Liberal leadership in November, has already said she will seek the Liberal nomination in the district in the next provincial election.

She has called on Dunderdale to step down soon so that a byelection can be called.

St. John's councillor Danny Breensaid he is "giving some thought" to running as the PC candidate in the pending byelection.

He said he will have more to saynext week.

Dunderdale was first elected as anMHAin 2003.