John Ottenheimer out, Ches Crosbie uncontested so far for Avalon

Former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister John Ottenheimer says he will not run against Ches Crosbie for the Conservative candidacy in the federal riding of Avalon.

Ottenheimer, who lost marginally to Paul Davis in the PC leadership race in September, told CBC News it would be too tough to take on another campaign in such a short period of time after the leadership contest.

"I live in the riding and it would have been an honour to represent the riding in Ottawa," Ottenheimer said Thursday.

"If I were to pursue the nomination for Avalon at this time, the nomination meetings perhaps will not be held until mid or late March and if I were successful in that process the election is not scheduled until October of this year."

Ottenheimer said he will, however, help the Conservatives in the federal election.

"I'm certainly supportive of the Conservative Party candidate, whoever that may be, if it's Mr. Crosbie, I will certainly support him," Ottenheimer said.

"I believe it's important that we have representation in Ottawa, it's important that we have balanced representation in Ottawa," he added. "It would be important for me that Conservative candidates be elected in the next federal election."

As for provincial politics, Ottenheimer said he isn't ruling out running in the future, but it's not something he is pursuing right now.

He added that he is "in the process of scaling down my law practice" and that he's turning his attention to "other interests, perhaps in neither the public or private sector."

The Conservatives have yet to name a nomination date for the riding.