After serving two terms in the Iowa House District 1 seat, Democratic state representative J.D. Scholten has announced he will not seek re-election in November.
Scholten made that announcement in a Thursday release.
He said he will depart after four years, since he has no designs to become a longtime politician.
Scholten is currently in the selective Obama Foundation Leadership program, where he’s working with a career coach to help transition into a career outside of being an elected official.
"Nothing lasts forever," he said.
"This is not me backing down from the fight for what I believe in—the beauty of our democracy is that we can make a difference in many ways, not just as an elected official...I'm not sure what's next, but I guarantee you this: I will continue working to improve my community and fight for the people who need it most."
Scholten pointed with pride to his electoral success, winning the two Iowa House wins and almost winning the Iowa 4th Congressional District seat in 2018, falling by 10,000 votes.
He also in recent years balanced his duties as a state legislator with being a pitcher for the Sioux City Explorers, "making him the only professional baseball player in American history to hold public office while actively competing in professional baseball," the release said.
