State Sen. Kline won't seek re-election

SEATTLE-- Longtime state Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, said Thursday he does not plan to seek re-election for his southeast Seattle district.

Kline, who has represented the 37th Legislative District for 18 sessions, is up for re-election in November. He said he plans to retire from the public eye, and focus more time on his family and traveling.

"I'll miss the action here, the engagement on issues important to the extraordinary people of southeast Seattle," he said.

Kline, a former lawyer, is known for his work opposing government intrusion, as well as shortening prison time for nonviolent offenders. He is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a fairly outspoken member of the state Senate who rarely shied away from the public eye.

According to the local website Seattlemet.com, former Bill Clinton speechwriter Eric Liu will run for Kline's spot.