James Moore Is 5th Cabinet Minister To Leave Federal Politics In 5 Months

Industry Minister James Moore announced today that he won't run in the upcoming election, ending a 15-year career in federal politics.

That makes him the fifth cabinet minister to announce he won't be running again in as many months. In February, former Foreign Minister John Baird revealed he was quitting. Since then, fellow cabinet ministers Christian Paradis, Shelly Glover and Peter MacKay have said they won't be part of the next election campaign.

Moore had been touted by some as a possible successor to Stephen Harper as Tory leader, and many in Ottawa were surprised by the news.

Another stunning Cabinet departure. James Moore not seeking re-election. #cdnpoli #GPC
— Elizabeth May MP (@ElizabethMay) June 19, 2015

Moore said his decision came after he and his wife received "some difficult news" about the health of their young son Spencer, who has a form of skeletal dysplasia that requires extensive care.

Politicos who linked the departure with a weakening Harper team faced criticism on Twitter. Top Trudeau adviser Gerry Butts apologized over this tweet:

#TeamTrudeau is strong and growing, while Harper's team continues to weaken and shrink. #cdnpoli #JamesMoore https://t.co/Bu3Q5fOEg5
— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) June 19, 2015

. @colbycosh I feel terrible about that Colby. Again, apologies to @JamesMoore_org.
— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) June 19, 2015

And NDP MP Nathan Cullen also got blowback over a tweet he posted about Harper's ministers "jumping ship."

James Moore is quitting politics. Easier 2 say who's staying w Harper than 2 count all those jumping ship #cdnpoli
http://t.co/xONTjpf7Vt
— Nathan Cullen (@nathancullen) June 19, 2015

@nathancullen Come on, a special needs kid and he's "jumping ship"? I'm confident you can do better than that.
— Stephen Hureau (@YukonNards) June 19, 2015

@nathancullen His son is ill. Have some compassion.
— Matthew Cressatti (@MattCressatti) June 19, 2015

Others praised Moore and said his departure will be felt by the Harper government, and his province.

Departure of @JamesMoore_org is not only a blow to Harper govt., but a blow to BC. Strong regional presence at the cabinet table. #bcpoli
— Keith Baldrey (@keithbaldrey) June 19, 2015

And many on Twitter wished the B.C. Tory well.

@JamesMoore_org Thank you for all your have done and especially for BC. Wish your son with your increased focus quick recovery. #SenCA
— Sen. Mobina Jaffer (@SenJaffer) June 19, 2015

@JamesMoore_org Thank you for your many yrs of service to Canada. I wish you the very best in your future endeavours
— Marc Dalton MLA (@MarcDalton) June 19, 2015

Wishing @JamesMoore_org well on his return to private life. Glad we were able to connect recently re your terrific work on internal trade.
— Dan Kelly (@CFIB) June 19, 2015