Longtime Sen. Steve Vick retiring

Sen. Steve Vick of Dalton Gardens announced Tuesday his retirement from the Idaho Legislature.

Vick, who's served since 2010, thanked the people of North Idaho.

“It has been one of my greatest pleasures to serve the people of Idaho’s Second Legislative District for the last 12 years," he said, according to a press release. "But I don’t believe that being a legislator was meant to be a career, and now I am excited with the prospect of spending more time with my family and enjoying the wonderful life that we share with all of our neighbors in North Idaho.”

Vick and his wife, Cheryl Ann, have four children and 11 grandchildren.

Vick plans to complete his current term, which ends in December of this year. He is chairman of the Senate Resources and Environment Committee.

In 2018, he was elected by his peers to be a member of Senate leadership, serving as the assistant majority leader through 2020. Vick previously served four terms in the Montana House of Representatives. Elected in 1994, he served until 2002.

Rep. Doug Okuniewicz, a Republican from Hayden, will seek Vick's Senate seat in the May 17 primary election, the press release said.

“Doug has comported himself extremely well during his time in the Idaho House of Representatives," Vick said. "He has maintained a conservative voting record that aligns well with our constituents. And, he has also successfully run meaningful legislation that is important to the people of our legislative district and all Idahoans in general. I wholeheartedly endorse Doug Okuniewicz for the Idaho Senate. He will be a great addition to the body, and I am certain he is up to the challenge.”