Secretary of State Sam Reed has decided to retire at the end of his third term, in January, 2013, but plans to stay involved in public life through volunteerism and service projects.

Reed, a moderate Republican and the state’s senior GOP statewide elected official, was re-elected in 2008. He said he’s confident he could have won a new term, but is ready to move into an active retirement and turn the office over to a new generation.

A cancer survivor, Reed said he was recently given a clean bill of health and is energetic and plans a “vigorous and robust” finale to his term. He is 70.

“This is a bittersweet decision for me and my family.  I have such love and respect for this office and for the opportunities to serve the people of Washington every single day,” Reed said. “I came to Olympia as a young man to answer a call for a new breed of leaders, and was honored to work for Gov. Dan Evans and to be appointed assistant secretary of state by Secretary Lud Kramer at age 28.

“Later, I thoroughly enjoyed being Thurston County Auditor for 23 years and now have had the distinct pleasure of being Secretary of State for three terms, including presiding over the nation’s secretaries of state.

“In all, it has been quite a ride – 45 years in public life, including 35 in elective office.

“I am leaving elective office, but not public service.  I am quite certain that I will continue my love of community and state and country and serve as an enthusiastic volunteer in non-profits and charities, lecturing, writing and spending time on college campuses.”

Reed and his wife, Margie, have lived in Olympia for many years. They have two adult children, David and Kristen, and two grandsons.