Verger Opts to Not Seek Re-Election

State Senator Joanne Verger says when her current term expires, she’ll be calling it quits.

Joanne Verger – “I have made a decision not to run again, not to run for reelection in 2012. Now, you know that means I have another year. (click to listen)

The Coos Bay Democrat will serve in the upcoming February session as well as the 2012 interim.

She started her political career on the Coos Bay City Council, then became the first woman to serve as Coos Bay Mayor, a post she held for eight years.  During that time she also served one year, 1999, as the President of the League of Oregon Cities.

From there, she was elected to the Oregon House twice before being elected to the District 5 Senate post in 2004.