THE MEMBER of the Senedd for Merthyr Tydfil has announced she will not be standing again next year.
Ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections, Dawn Bowden, who is currently the MS for Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhymney, has confirmed she will not be standing for re-election.
She was first elected to the Senedd in 2016 and was re-elected in 2021.
She currently serves as a minister for children and social care, has previously served as deputy minister for arts and sport and chief whip and has been part of several Senedd committees.
In a statement she said: “In 2016 you gave me the great privilege of representing the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency in the Senedd, our Welsh Parliament.

“It was such an honour to be the first woman in this constituency to be elected in either the Senedd or Westminster elections. I also thank you for re-electing me in 2021 with an increased majority.
“In nearly ten years as your MS, I have done my best to represent you, to promote the constituency and to support our local community.
“As promised I made my home in the constituency and I have run a highly visible constituency office to support the needs of constituents.
“Thanks to Mark Drakeford, Vaughan Gething and Eluned Morgan I have also had the great honour of serving in our Welsh Government.
“As you know preparations are now being made for the Senedd elections in 2026.
“These elections will be for a larger Senedd based on new boundaries. There will no longer be a Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney constituency but a larger constituency served by six Members of the Senedd.
“A different system for a new era of Welsh politics.
“After much consideration I have decided that I will not be a candidate in the 2026 elections.
“Having left school at 16, and after working continuously for almost 50 years it will be a time for new challenges and different opportunities. I look forwards to having more time with our grandchildren and with my family, without the pressing and urgent demands of daily politics.”
“During my time as an AM, and now your MS, I have been supported by many constituents, local organisations, members of Welsh Labour, local councillors, trade unions including my own union Unison, the Co-operative Party and a great team of staff in my constituency.

“I have greatly valued my strong working partnership with Gerald Jones MP and since 2024 with Nick Smith MP in Rhymney.
“I will of course continue to serve you as the local MS, to serve our First Minister in Government and to do the best possible job until the next elections in May 2026.
“But a special thanks must go to you – party members – and the voters of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney for having faith in me.
“I send my best wishes to those who will stand to represent Welsh Labour in the new Senedd constituency in 2026. You will have my full support.”