Idaho Secretary of State will Not Run Again

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Longtime Idaho Secretary of State Ben Ysursa says he has decided not to seek a fourth term in office. The veteran Republican announced his plans to step away from office Friday.

Ysursa says he thought long and hard about his future, but ultimately decided to step away from public office when his term expires in January 2015. Ysursa is 64 years old and he has worked in the office for 40 years. His decision enables him to avoid a potentially bruising Republican primary in May.

Former House Speaker and Rep. Lawerence Denney of Midvale has already announced his intention to run for the job. The two have clashed politically in recent years over closed primaries and redistricting. Ysursa says it has been an honor and privilege to serve the state.