SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - One of the longest-serving Democratic members of the Utah Legislature announced she will not seek reelection.
Rep. Patrice Arent plans to retire when her term expires Jan. 1, 2021, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Arent joined the Utah House in 1996 and served until 2002, when Republican-controlled redistricting combined her seat with a fellow Democrat. Rather than challenge her colleague, she defeated the GOP Senate majority leader in a race that set a state spending record.
She left the Senate four years later but returned to the Legislature in 2010 by winning a House seat.
Arent disclosed last May she was being treated for multiple myeloma, a form of cancer affecting plasma cells.
Health concerns did not motivate her retirement decision, she said.
“Thanks to immunotherapy that was not available until recently, I am still able to work 15-hour days and carry on life as usual,” she said. “I am fortunate to be in good health and expect to live for a very long time.”
The Millcreek representative said in a statement that she hopes to pursue other interests, including skiing.
“I plan to spend more time on our spectacular ski slopes,” Arent said. “I also want to travel more - not only to visit with family outside Utah but to explore new places.”
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