By Jill Smith

UPDATED: Ken Krawetz not running in 2016 election

Apr 28, 2014 | 5:15 PM

A long-time Saskatchewan MLA announced Monday that he will not be running in the next provincial election.

Deputy premier and finance minister Ken Krawetz will not seek re-election in April 2016.

“My wife and I and family started talking about it a year ago saying should we look at another four-year term starting in 2016. And for me, again, with me being as lucky as I am with my cardiac situation, I just want to move on to enjoying family,” Krawetz told the media following his announcement. Although he's had heath issues in the past, including a triple bypass surgery 14 years ago, Krawetz said his health isn't the reason behind his retirement.

“I’m doing great.”

Krawetz first won a seat in the legislature as a member of the Liberal Party in 1995. He was elected to represent the Canora-Pelly riding by a mere 50 votes.

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“I was not supposed to win. I did not receive a lot of support from the provincial organization at that time. But I was just told to do the best I could,” said Krawetz. Just two years later, he would be one of the founding member of the Saskatchewan Party.

“The group of four Liberal MLA’s that formed the Saskatchewan Party—we, along with many other supporters of the Saskatchewan Party, were non-socialists and I think that’s the success –that’s been the success of the Saskatchewan Party. We have a balance,” Krawetz said.

In 1998, Krawetz was voted the deputy leader of the party. His support in his home riding has grown greatly from his first election, earning 71 per cent of the popular vote in the 2011 vote.

jsmith@rawlco.com

Follow on Twitter: @genericjill