Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, has released a statement saying he will not run for office in 2010.

Here’s the statement. More in Friday’s edition of The Selma Times-Journal.

For the last few months I have been struggling with a decision whether to run for the State Senate again in 2010. This decision has weighed heavy on my mind and heart and did not come easy. Representing the people of Alabama in the State Senate has been an honor and one of the great privileges of my life. I will look back to only with fondness at the many long hours, the battles, the victories, and defeats. Most of all I will miss the many colleagues and friends I’ve met on this wonderful journey.

I truly hope that I made a difference in the State Senate and for the State of Alabama in some small way. As chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, I committed myself to the school children of this state, and tried to make a real difference in the programs, the teaching and the environment in which our children live and learn. I hope our children will continue to be a priority of the State Senate and the State of Alabama.

I will not run for re-election in 2010. This political phase of my life is complete, and it is time for me to move on to new challenges, new responsibilities and new commitments. In particular I want to finish writing a series of books I started several years ago but could not make the time to finish then.

But one thing will never change: I will continue to work to make a difference in the life of this area and in the life of this state; however, that contribution, will now come through my new roles, whatever they may be. My unwavering commitment to improving the ordinary lives of our citizens remains as strong as ever; only my roles will change.