VANCOUVER - Two candidates who were set to run against each other in the same B.C. riding in the May election have quit, citing personal reasons.

Boundary-Similkameen Independent MLA John Slater — a former Liberal — and New Democrat challenger Marji Basso each issued statements within an hour of each other Monday dropping out as candidates.

Slater has represented the Osoyoos-area riding since the 2009 election, but recently was at the centre of a controversy when the Liberals refused to let him seek re-election under their banner.

Slater says he's ruffled feathers within the Liberal camp for his views.

He had said he'd run as an independent in the May election, but his legislative office in Victoria has issued a strong statement, saying Slater will not run as a candidate due to what is being called "the politics of personal destruction".

The New Democrats said Basso sent a letter to the NDP stating she was stepping down for personal reasons.

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