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Rep. Richard Greenwood, R-Roy, known for speaking out for law-enforcement officials in the Legislature, has dropped out of his race for re-election.
Greenwood, 64, who is retired from the Utah Highway Patrol and the Weber County Sheriff's Office, said he made the decision after realizing he faced a tough fight for re-election.
"After surveying my [convention] delegates, I think we probably go into a primary," he said, figuring he could not win the 60 percent of convention delegates needed to skip the primary.
"After serving in the Legislature for seven years, I don't think I have the energy to go into a primary. I thought it would be in the best interest of all parties involved and my family that I drop out of the race and spend time with my family."
He added: "It's going to be a great retired life. My family is excited for it."
Greenwood's exit now leaves Mike Schultz unopposed for the Republican nomination in House District 12. "He is a good man," Greenwood said of Schultz. "And I believe he's going to do a great job."
Also running is Democrat Joseph Marrero.
Greenwood is the 12th legislator to choose not to run this year. That means when the Legislature convenes next January, about one of every nine lawmakers will be new, at least.
Greenwood said he is proudest of fights to keep open the Weber Valley Detention Center, which had been proposed for closure several years ago. He said that would have put a strain on law enforcement and families of jailed juveniles if inmates had been moved instead to Davis or Salt Lake counties.
He said he helped find money each year to keep the facility open and more recently was able to find money to buy land for a new detention center.