Bartolucci says he's ready to help return Sudbury to Grits

"I want to thank Joe for putting his name forward and for his public service — hopefully his public service is not over," Bartolucci said. "He's chosen to be closer to his family, to his wife and to help raise their children — that's very noble."

Saying it must have been "agony" coming to the decision to step down, the longtime MPP said Cimino's decision shows that his values are in the right place.

"He must miss his family immensely," Bartolucci said. "I know that feeling personally. In 1995 when I was first elected, I went through much the same emotions. Fortunately, my kids were older and my wife was able to resign her job as a teacher ... and care for them.

"Joe has nothing to be ashamed about. How can you fault anybody for returning home to help raise their family?"

But family responsibilities do come face to face with political realities in cases like these. With the resignation comes a byelection in the next six months and Bartolucci says that means Sudbury voters have a choice to make — they can choose to have a member in government or a member in opposition for the next four years.

"On the plus side, voters know they can elect a Liberal on the government side or elect an opposition member — they can have real results or more rhetoric,” he said.

Bartolucci said he will be talking with Liberal Party headquarters in Toronto about the upcoming byelection and what the party is looking for, and he will be "focused on returning Sudbury to Liberal hands."

He added that he hopes the Grits don't make the same mistake as they made in the spring provincial election and skip having a nomination meeting for a Liberal candidate. The delay in choosing a Sudbury candidate last winter limited the amount of time the eventual candidate, Andrew Olivier, could campaign, something many felt hurt the party's chances in the election.

A byelection must be called within six months.