MLA Krueger will not be stepping aside
A longtime Kamloops MLA has put an end to continued rumours he is considering leaving politics.
Kamloops-South Thompson Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger told KTW he intends to run for a fifth term whenever the next provincial election is called.
"That's been my plan all along," he said, adding he is now putting together his nomination package for the Liberal Party.
Speculation on Krueger's political career started to swirl in recent weeks after a pair of high-profile Liberal cabinet ministers, Barry Penner and Iain Black, announced they were leaving cabinet.
It's been suggested the departures are a sign there is dissension inside Premier Christy Clark's government.
"A time comes for everybody, so I don't think anybody should read much into that," Krueger said, adding his party has never favoured MLAs staying for lengthy periods of time.
"We believe turnover is good."
Krueger was first elected MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson in 1996, but crossed the river to run in the south in 2009.
He won the riding handily, beating NDP challenger Tom Friedman by more than 4,000 votes.
The two will square off again in the next provincial election, as Friedman was acclaimed the NDP candidate in the riding in July.
Krueger held five cabinet posts — his last being the Ministry of Social Development — but found himself in the backbenches after Clark was chosen party leader earlier this year.
It was that move that led to recent speculation Krueger might call it quits.
But, he contends he's happy in his new role and doesn't miss being a part of cabinet, noting having no portfolio allows him to spend more time with family and take care of constituency work.
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