Pennsylvania House Speaker Sam Smith will not seek re-election.
Smith, R- Punxsutawney, represented northeastern Pennsylvania's Jefferson County and the entire 66th Legislative District in the state House for 27 years, first taking office in 1987.
Smith was elected majority whip in 2000, and he became majority leader in 2003 when then-Speaker Matthew Ryan died. Smith was elected as the 137th speaker in January 2011. Prior to his current position, he served as a member of House Leadership for 10 years.
"Upon some deep reflection, I no longer feel I can give the residents of the 66th the 100 percent commitment the job requires," Smith said in a Feb. 11 statement.
He said his proudest achievements include improved airport access in Jefferson County; the rebirth of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus in Punxsutawney; and expanded water and sewer lines in small towns such as Rossiter, Plumville and Glen Campbell.
