June 26 | 5:49 PM

Taft pulls the plug
By Jeff Cummings - Metro News Edmonton

Alberta Opposition Leader Kevin Taft told reporters that he isn't a career politician when he announced he is stepping down as head of the Liberal party yesterday after suffering a major defeat at the hands of voters.

"It's just time for somebody like me, who has not and never has thought of myself to be a career politician, to open the door for somebody else," said Taft.

Taft, however, says he will still continue to raise several issues with the Tory government as a Liberal MLA for Edmonton-Riverview and said he hasn't ruled out in running for the next election three and a half years from now.

Taft has been pondering his future ever since the March 3 election that resulted in the cash-strapped Liberals losing nearly half of their caucus, dropping to nine seats from 16 in the 83-seat legislature.

The Grit leader also took an unusual two-week vacation during a busy spring session last month, but Taft said earlier it was a holiday that was impossible to change with travel agents.

"My biggest regret, well pretty obviously not doing better in the election this spring," said Taft.

And he says it will be up to the party to decide when they would like him to step aside, but he would prefer that it happened sometime before January 2009.

Grant Dunlop, the Liberals' party president, said plans for a leadership contest could be settled after an internal board meeting two weeks from now.

Alberta New Democrat Leader Brian Mason wished Taft well by saying he has been in "politics for all the right reason."

"Mr. Taft did a very good job on behalf of his party and on behalf of Albertans," said Mason.

Premier Ed Stelmach chose not to make a statement about Taft announcement, said a spokesman with his office.

Who's in the Liberal leadership race?
By Metro News Edmonton

With the departure of Kevin Taft speculation is swirling at the Legislature on who will take of the reins of the Liberal party. Grit officials say the contest will kick off sometime this summer.

Liberal MLAs reportedly interested include Edmonton-Currie MLA Laurie Blakeman and Calgary-Currie MLA Dave Taylor.

"I'm thinking seriously about it," said Taylor during a news conference at his constituency office in Calgary yesterday.

Taylor, who describes Taft as a passionate man, says he will spend the long weekend considering the idea.

Blakeman did not respond to interview requests from Metro, but she has publicly stated that she is interested. Calgary Mountain View MLA David Swan has also been touted as a contender.

--- With files from Neil MacKinnon / Metro News Calgary