Saskatchewan’s NDP will soon begin their quest to search for a new leader. A leadership race is expected to be announced in the near future after Ryan Meili announced Friday he’s stepping down as leader of the party, a position he’s held for nearly four years. The 46 year-old told reporters that he was contemplating the idea of stepping away over the last little while, but more specifically over the past two months. Meili says he wants to “help, not hinder” the party in establishing a new vision as he believes it’s time for a new voice to lead the New Democrats.

The MLA for Saskatoon-Meewasin states that the NDP is “neck and neck” with the Saskatchewan Party in poles that he’s recently seen. “What we’ve seen in recent months and we’ve seen poles as recently as a couple of weeks ago that show us neck and neck with the Sask Party. I firmly believe we’re on the edge of a breakthrough for the NDP.”

Just this past week, the NDP lost a mainstay riding when they fell to the SaskParty in the Athabasca byelection. The NDP had held that riding close to a quarter century prior to Tuesday. His message for the new leader of the party is “To tell the truth. Keep being honest with Saskatchewan people.”

Currently, the official opposition holds twelve seats in the province. Meili will stay on as MLA for Saskatoon-Meewasin. He will also serve as the party’s leader until his successor is found.