George won’t seek re-election to Oregon Senate

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Sen. Larry George says he’ll leave the Oregon Legislature after the 2014 election.

The two-term Republican from Sherwood announced Tuesday that he won’t seek re-election next year.

George has been one of the most visible Republicans in the Senate. This year he was a driving force behind a successful Senate GOP push to cut taxes for certain types of corporations.

George says in a statement that he’s been married and had two children since first elected, “and this is the time in our life for family.”

George and his brother own a hazelnut processing company.

Republican Rep. Kim Thatcher of Keizer announced that she would seek George’s Senate seat, and conservative talk-show host Bill Post said he plans to run for Thatcher’s seat in the House.