Sask. Party MLA Bill Hutchinson loses nomination for next vote

Saskatchewan Party MLA Bill Hutchinson is seen in this undated file photo.

Two-term Saskatchewan Party MLA Bill Hutchinson has lost his bid to run for the party in the next provincial election.

Hutchinson was first elected to the legislature in the constituency of Regina South in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011.

He had hoped to run again in the newly drawn constituency of Regina Pasqua, but lost the nomination Monday night to small business owner Muhammad Fiaz.

Hutchinson has held several portfolios in Premier Brad Wall's government, including minister for First Nations, municipal affairs and tourism, parks, culture and sport.

The last Saskatchewan Party legislature member to lose a contested nomination was Denis Allchurch in 2011.

Fiaz says he's looking forward to running in the next election, which is expected in April 2016.