MLA Bill Barisoff, Speaker in the BC Legislature is not running again. This was expected and rumoured for months. The announcement made in a number of newspapers this morning.

Barisoff is just the lastest in a string of Liberal MLAs who won’t be seeking  re-election in 2013, including Kash Heed, Kevin Krueger, Dave Hayer and Harry  Bloy  Others prominent Liberals, including cabinet ministers Kevin Falcon and  George Abbott, say they are undecided about returning to the hustings.

Bill Barisoff is a BC Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly. Born in Oliver, he represents the riding of Penticton prsently but was first  elected in the South Okanagan in 1996, when he defeated former MLA Bill Barlee by a narrow margin.

Before entering politics, he owned a trucking firm.

Bill Barisoff was last elected as MLA for Penticton on May 12, 2009. He has served as Speaker of the House since September 12, 2005 and previously served as Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection and Minister of Provincial Revenue.