MONTGOMERY – House Speaker Seth Hammett announced today that he will not seek re-election to the District 92 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. He represents all of Covington County and the eastern half of Escambia County.

First elected to the House in 1978, Hammett has served as speaker of the House since January 1999. He is one of only two public officials in history to serve three terms as speaker.

Hammett, a resident of Andalusia who was born in Rose Hill, decided not to seek re-election after many discussions with his family. He will continue to serve out the balance of his current term, which will end in November 2010. His obligations as speaker will continue through January 10, 2011.

“After 31 years of service, I believe the time has come for me to step aside,” Hammett said. “My decision to leave is final.”

The speaker decided to announce his intentions at the end of the 2009 regular session to end speculation about his plans before fundraising begins next month for the 2010 elections. “I wanted to make this decision known because the political season will start in earnest the beginning of June and all involved deserve to know my intentions now,” he said.

“I am honored to serve the people of District 92 and I can never express enough appreciation to them for giving me the opportunity to be their representative in Montgomery,” Hammett said. “I intend to do the best possible job in continuing to represent them during my final 20 months as speaker.”