Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, announced she won’t run for re-election in the 30th Legislative district this year.
“Shortly after my re-election in 2010, I decided that this term would be my last and that I would pour myself into this term and then open the door for someone else,” Eide said in a statement. “That time is here.”
Eide, 59, noted she has served 18 years in the state Legislature, including 16 years in the Senate. She is co-chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee, a spot offered to her when a GOP-led coalition took control of the Senate last year.
The 30th District represents part of King and Pierce counties including Federal Way, Des Moines, Milton, Algona and Pacific and part of Auburn.
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It was not immediately clear whom Democrats might recruit to run for her seat, although state Rep. Roger Freeman, D-Federal Way, said, “I’m definitely going to think about it.”
Former Democratic state Rep. Mark Miloscia is running for the seat as a Republican, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Freeman described Miloscia as a “mentor” and said it would be a difficult decision to run against him.
Eide in her statement said, “I leave with mixed feelings. I’ve taken joy and satisfaction in every successful effort on behalf of my constituents and my state, and I’ve agonized over those that came up short. It has been a point of privilege and honor to represent my district. I wish I could have done even more, but I’m sure every legislator feels that way.”
The Senate Democratic caucus is undergoing a lot of turnover. Former state Sen. Ed Murray left last year to become the mayor of Seattle. Former state Sen. Nick Harper of Everett also resigned last year and then ended up getting hired by Murray as his director of intergovernmental relations.
In addition, state Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, resigned in January, citing Alzheimer’s disease as a factor, and Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, announced earlier this year that he won’t seek re-election.
Seattle Times reporter Brian M. Rosenthal contributed to this report.