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Rob Lantz officially resigned as Prince Edward Island’s 34th premier Thursday night and announced he is running for the permanent leadership of the province’s Progressive Conservative Party.

Lantz made the announcement in Charlottetown, surrounded by PC caucus members and supporters, one day after the party confirmed its leadership convention will be held Feb. 7 at the Eastlink Centre.

Under party rules, Lantz was required to resign as interim leader within 10 days of the convention announcement in order to be eligible to run.

His resignation also ends his time as premier, a role he has held since February following the departure of former premier Dennis King.

“It’s been the honour of my life to serve Islanders as premier,” Lantz said. “This province has given me every opportunity I’ve ever had. That’s why I care so much about its future.”

Since taking on the interim leadership, Lantz had sent mixed signals about whether he would seek the job permanently.

Speaking with reporters Thursday night, he said the final decision came earlier this week, following the byelection win by PC candidate Brendan Curran in District 2, Georgetown-Pownal.

“I made the decision 100 per cent on Monday after the byelection that, yeah, I think Islanders still have confidence in this government and I want to have a role in that,” Lantz said.

He added that while the decision was recent, discussions with Islanders, party members, and the PC caucus had been ongoing for months.

Lantz confirmed that Deputy Premier Bloyce Thompson will be sworn in as the province’s 35th premier on Friday afternoon. Thompson currently serves as minister of justice and public safety and minister of agriculture.

With the transition, Prince Edward Island will have its third premier in a single year, as the Progressive Conservative Party prepares for a leadership contest early next year.