Dominic Cardy has decided to delay his resignation as leader of the New Brunswick NDP and instead represent his party in the Saint John East byelection next month.

Cardy announced last month that he would resign after the NDP failed to win a seat in the provincial election.

“This has got to be, in the end, a race about Saint John East, about jobs for this community, about making sure the infrastructure’s there, park facilities,” says Cardy.

“It’s going to be a local race about local issues and I’m ready to get in there and talk to people and make sure I can be a strong voice in Fredericton for what they need.

He wouldn’t speculate on what he will do if his third bid at election fails.

Meanwhile, New Brunswick's Greens have chosen Sharon Murphy as their candidate in the upcoming byelection in Saint John East.

Provincial Green Leader David Coon believes his own election win could help Murphy this time around.

“Greens can get elected in this province and that breaks through a psychological barrier that should make it that much easier for voters to put their vote where their heart really is,” says Coon, who was elected to the riding of Fredericton South.

Murphy was also the party's candidate in the Sept. 22 provincial election, finishing almost 2,000 votes behind Liberal Gary Keating.

The seat became vacant last week after Keating quit politics, saying the hours and travel that come with the job would have a negative impact on his health and family.

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives have said Glen Savoie, who narrowly lost to Keating by nine votes, will represent them.

Saint John Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart is the Liberal candidate.

Acadian lawyer Joyce Richardson announced her intention last week to seek the NDP leadership and nomination for Saint John East, but says she recently learned she isn't eligible to run in the byelection.

Richardson says she doesn't meet the requirement that potential candidates be members of the party in good standing for two weeks before a nomination meeting is held.

The byelection is Nov. 17.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell and The Canadian Press