State Senator announces he will not run for re-election after current term

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - After 14 years in office, Dean Mortimer will not be running for another term in the state senate.

Local News 8 and KIDK Eyewitness News 3 spoke to him Tuesday night and he says he thinks it is time to let someone else serve.

The Idaho Falls Republican and Senate Education Committee Chairman also said, "I'm not a believer that you should serve forever and ever."

He feels strongly about how important it is to have a good education system.

He served on that committee his entire time in office.

In the future, he feels strongly about doing something different with the education funding formula.

He also says he is announcing early so someone else has plenty of time to make the decision to run.

Mortimer will serve out his term in the upcoming 2020 session.

He added his time in the legislature has been a true blessing.