June 27, 2012 - 2:23 PM
VICTORIA - Known for his booming voice and often politically incorrect blasts, long-time Kamloops Liberal Kevin Krueger says he won't be running in the next British Columbia election.
Krueger, first elected in 1996, made the announcement today in Kamloops during one of his regular coffee gatherings with local constituents and media.
Premier Christy Clark issued a statement thanking Krueger for his service to the province and his granite-like integrity.
Krueger's blunt and often unsolicited comments had him in trouble with constituents, the Opposition New Democrats and at times with his own caucus, but he rarely stood down, preferring more to amplify his views than offer apologies.
He often displayed a slavish devotion to former premier Gordon Campbell, yelling, "'We love you Gord,'" when the premier announced he was dropping the tolls on the Coquihalla Highway.
In recent months, Krueger appeared to nominate himself as Opposition Leader Adrian Dix's worst enemy, attacking Dix for forgetting to pay for a transit pass and questioning his integrity.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012