Corky Evans, the colourful New Democrat MLA for Nelson-Creston in the B.C. Interior, says he won't run in the provincial election next year.

Evans is the NDP agriculture and lands critic and has been involved in provincial politics for more than 20 years.

He said a major highlight came when his party won more than 30 seats in 2005.

"Three years ago we had an election, and the night that we counted the votes — I don't drink alcohol, but my children phoned from away because they said on TV that I looked drunk. And it was just an exuberance because we won polls here we've never won," he told CBC News.

B.C. NDP leadership candidate Corky Evans smiles after speaking during the party's leadership debate at their convention in Vancouver on Feb. 18, 2000. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

New Democrat Leader Carole James said Evans helped shape politics in B.C. in a way few others have, with his commitment to social justice, equality and fairness, and his belief in the power of ordinary people to control their destinies.

"Regardless of your politics, Corky brought politics to the people. He made sure that he was entertaining. He was committed to his community and the issues that mattered to him," James said.

James said his unique spirit, humour and generosity have left an enormous impression on everyone he worked with.

"He was a great New Democrat in carrying forward our values to all British Columbians, so I'm certain that he's going to be missed not only by people in the legislature but all across B.C."

Evans is known in the legislature for his speeches and questions, usually delivered in a sort of "aw-shucks" down-home style, often laced with humour.

He was first elected as an MLA in 1991 and served as agriculture minister in the NDP government of the time before being re-elected in 1996 and again in 2005.

He ran for the party leadership twice, in 1996 and 2000, coming second both times, first to Glen Clark, who was premier from 1996 to 1999, then to Ujjal Dosanjh, who was briefly premier and is now a Liberal MP.