Longtime Alaska state Sen. Johnny Ellis says he will not seek re-election.
Ellis is the latest legislator to announce his retirement. Ellis’ announcement came Wednesday, which was the candidate filing deadline.
Ellis, an Anchorage Democrat, was first elected to the Senate in 1992. Prior to that, he served three terms in the House.
A release from Senate Democrats said Ellis’ most satisfying accomplishments in public life included work to help Alaskans with disabilities and work on changes to the state’s criminal justice system.
Senate Minority Leader Berta Gardner said it’s almost impossible to imagine the Senate without Ellis.
Other legislators who have said they won’t seek re-election this year include Republican Sens. Bill Stoltze and Lesil McGuire and Republican Reps. Kurt Olson and Mike Hawker.
