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This article was published 4/2/2016 (1687 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Less than a month into the job, Taz Stuart says he is done with being the interim leader of the Manitoba Party and won’t be running in the April 19 election.

The former city entomologist confirmed to the Free Press Thursday that once the paperwork clears, he will no longer be leader of the fledgling party.

When asked what prompted the decision, he replied, "Life."

"My life is a little too busy to dedicate the time to the provincial election and do the candidates run and the whole bit. I’m just too busy," he said.

He never intended to be the face of the party and planned on working more behind the scenes during the election — he described his appointment as interim leader as a necessity for paperwork.

He was quick to add he has no problems with the party or president Gary Marshall, who plans to run for the party in Kildonan.

The fledgling anti-tax, anti-government party announced Stuart as its interim leader and candidate for Fort Whyte last month. The party, which is still in the midst of applying for official party status, told the Free Press it hopes to run at least 15 candidates in April’s general election.

The rock star bug man parted ways with the city in 2013 and ran unsuccessfully for city council in River Heights-Fort Garry in 2014. He originally planned to run for the Progressive Conservatives in the spring election.

When asked if he was done with politics, Stuart hesitated briefly and replied, "Never say never."

However, he confirmed he will not be on the ballot representing any party on April 19.

A request for comment from Marshall, the party president, was not returned.

To win official party status, the Manitoba Party must submit 2,500 signatures to Elections Manitoba along with a recent set of audited statements before the writ is dropped. Or, it can run five candidates during the writ period.

According to a tweet posted Wednesday by the party, the signatures "are almost complete."

kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca

— with files from Mary Agnes Welch