Dr. John Dornan, the former head of Horizon Health Network, has announced he will seek the Liberal nomination in his home riding of Portland-Simonds, in the north end of Saint John.

Dornan was publicly fired as president and CEO of Horizon by Progressive Conservative Premier Blaine Higgs in 2022 following the death of a patient in the waiting room of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital's emergency department in Fredericton.

He won a record-breaking $2-million arbitration award over his dismissal, a decision upheld by a Court of King's Bench judge and now being appealed by the province.

Dornan said, in written a statement issued Thursday, that he's worked hard as a leader and has not been afraid to have tough conversations.

"That means listening to people and implementing the good ideas and progressive changes we want to see, whether it's in our hospitals or in our communities."

And he wants to bring "that same style of leadership" to the legislature.

"We've seen the top-down approach from the current government fail to get results, and it's time for a change," the statement said.

   PC Trevor Holder, who held the seat for many years, decided not to run again. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

The seat has been held by long-time Progressive Conservative MLA Trevor Holder, who announced last month he would not seek re-election. Holder was first elected in 1999 and served as a cabinet minister under three different PC premiers.

Dornan could not immediately be reached for comment, but has lived in Portland-Simonds for years and also used to operate a medical office there.

According to a news release issued by his campaign managers Steven Robar and Normand Hector, Dornan is a "fierce advocate" for the community, which he describes as a "great place to live, work, and play."

The statement says he wants to see more support for recent medical graduates who come to the province for training and could decide to set up practice here. He also says there are issues that need to be addressed around affordable housing, the increased cost of living, and having too few opportunities for young people.

Dornan, who specializes in endocrinology, the study of hormones, has held progressively senior roles in health education and health care since he moved to the Saint John area in 1987. He served as head of internal medicine at the Saint John Regional Hospital, became chief of medical staff for Horizon, the largest health authority in the province, and then CEO in 2022.

The Portland-Simonds Liberal Association nominating meeting will be held May 8.