Idaho State Senator Stepping Down

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Democratic State Sen. Branden Durst is quitting the Idaho Legislature months after he began spending much of his time in Washington state. Durst is from Boise's District 18 and delivered his announcement Wednesday to Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and to Idaho Senate leaders.

He said he was resigning to focus on his family's needs. Durst began looking for work in the Seattle area earlier this year after his wife took a job as a teacher there. In September, he acknowledged his Boise home was largely empty, though he still had a bed there.

District 18 Legislative Chair John Goettsche is leading the committee that will vet potential nominees. Names to replace Durst will be submitted to Otter. A replacement would join the Senate's six other Democrats in the 2014 session in January.