Longtime Kotzebue state Rep. Reggie Joule has decided to not seek re-election.
Joule, first elected to the state House in 1996, had earlier filed as a candidate to run again this year. In a House majority news release, Joule said he ultimately opted against doing so after much consultation with his family.
The filing deadline for candidates is June 1.
Joule plans to serve the remainder of his term.
When reached Wednesday morning, Joule said he wanted to discuss his decision with his constituents first and was about to do a radio show that would allow him to do that.
Joule, who chairs the Alaska Legislature’s Bush Caucus, is one of four rural Democrats who caucuses with the majority Republicans. He is a member of the House Finance Committee.
