Erin Weir
2013 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election
### 2013 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election

In June 2012 a group of Canadian economists sent a public letter calling on Erin Weir to enter the 2013 Saskatchewan New Democratic Party leadership election. Also a group of notable New Democrats including former NDP MP [Dick Proctor](/wiki/Dick_Proctor "Dick Proctor") and former NDP premier [Howard Pawley](/wiki/Howard_Pawley "Howard Pawley") of Manitoba created a "Committee to Draft Erin Weir".

On September 7, 2012 Weir, then aged 30, announced he was entering the race. He addressed the issue of his not having a seat by saying "I would see it advantageous as having a leader that is not tied down to Regina all the time and free to tour the province." He also made the comparison to Jack Layton and the federal NDP of the time. Earlier that week, he had addressed his age saying the age of the candidate should not be the focus of voters and that "Public policy is more important,".

He was one of four declared candidates including MLA [Cam Broten](/wiki/Cam_Broten "Cam Broten"), doctor [Ryan Meili](/wiki/Ryan_Meili "Ryan Meili"), and MLA [Trent Wotherspoon](/wiki/Trent_Wotherspoon "Trent Wotherspoon").

His campaign was described by the media as organized and one of the main political commentators in the province said the race was "highly competitive" and "The fact they could all win is probably incentive for all four to run."

On February 20, 2013, Weir withdrew from the leadership race and endorsed fellow candidate [Ryan Meili](/wiki/Ryan_Meili "Ryan Meili").


Could age be an issue for a party leader, and why or why not?