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RALEIGH—State House minority leader Joe Hackney said he will not run for re-election this year.

Hackney made the announcement Thursday morning:

I have decided that I will not be a candidate for re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives this year. At the end of this term, I look forward to a more predictable schedule for my family, my law practice, my family farm, and for the recreational activities I've been missing. I will serve out the remainder of my term with enthusiasm.

As Minority Leader, I will work actively this year for a Democratic majority and a new Democratic Speaker for the NC House in 2013; I will continue to assist our candidates' campaigns and will actively raise money for them, as I have in the past.

I am very grateful to the voters of Chatham, Orange, and more recently a small part of Moore, who gave me the high privilege of representing them in matters of public policy for 32 years; to the members of the House who elected me Speaker Pro Tem, Majority Leader, Speaker, and Minority Leader; and to the legislators across America who elected me as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

I enjoyed all of it immensely, and gave it my all. I think I made a contribution. I have been fortunate to have the assistance of able and dedicated legislative staff throughout this time, and I do not have words sufficient to express how appreciative I am for their dedication to our State.

Betsy, Dan and Will have been unfailingly supportive, as have my law partners, and my brother Jack at the farm, and I thank them for their sacrifices.

The Democrat has represented the 54th district since 1981. He served as Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2011 and has been the Minority Leader since then.

Gov. Bev Perdue issued a statement about Hackney's decision:

“Joe Hackney never wavered from the principles that brought him to public service: to better North Carolina and its people by providing them a stronger education system and a government that truly serves the people instead of just the privileged. Over the course of his 32 years in the House, Joe always stood firm on the foundation of what he believed, regardless of popular opinion. He fought relentlessly to keep our government more transparent and to protect our environment for future generations. And we stood together in our recent battles to try and protect our teachers and the fairness of our elections. Our state today is a better place, and we should thank him.”

Speaker Thom Tillis also issued a statement about Hackney's decision:

"Speaker Hackney is a true public servant, and has led a distinguished career in the legislature. While we disagree on many policy issues, his respect for the traditions and integrity of the House has had a significant impact on my first year as Speaker. I wish him and his family nothing but the best as they move forward."