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Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley has announced he will not seek reelection to the Iowa Senate next year. McKinley will also step down as Senate Minority Leader when Senate Republicans meet next Thursday for their previously scheduled fall caucus.

“Since I will not be seeking another term, I believe the Senate Republicans should have a new leader in place now to continue building on the momentum that is being generated as we head toward picking up the majority in November of 2012,” said McKinley, who was first elected in 2000 and was elected leader in November 2008.

McKinley has represented much of Marion County in the Iowa State Senate since 2000, when he was first elected. He says that the decision was not made lightly, but this will give him more time to spend with his family.

“In the 80’s, I purchased and grew my manufacturing business in southern Iowa. In the 90’s, I sold my business, retired, raised my children and served my community in various capacities. For the past eleven years, I have served my state as a Senator and now it is time to move on to the next chapter of my life and spend more time with my grandchildren,” McKinley noted.

He says that serving his fellow citizens has been an honor of a lifetime.