John Horgan has decided to focus more on the Juan de Fuca riding and less on the province as a whole.
The MLA announced he would not be running for the leadership role for the NDP, Oct. 16. Since his re-election Horgan said he's already committed to a four-year term and running for leadership he'd be committing to eight years.
"I may well run again, but I am not sure," said Horgan, 54, who joined the NDP party when he was 24 years old.
"I felt it was best to get out of the way for our younger members," Horgan said. "It will open up the party to new ideas. It was imperative I made this announcement to clear the field."
Horgan said he'd heard speculations he would have been one of the front runners for the position if he had run. By not throwing his hat in the ring for a provincial leadership role, Horgan said he will "Keep doing what I am doing."
He also said by solely representing the JDF riding he can freely speak his mind and voice issues affecting people in his riding without having to worry how his comments will affect the rest of the province.
"It's liberating," said Horgan. "I feel great."