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Citing ongoing health concerns for him and his wife, Rep. Larry Crouse, R-Spokane Valley, announced today that he will resign from the Washington state Legislature on Dec. 31.

“This is the best job I’ve ever had, but it’s time. This decision is about family,” Crouse said in a press release. “I had an opportunity to represent a wonderful district. As I look back, it’s humbling to know thousands of voters put their faith in me. It has been a great honor to serve the people and communities of the Fourth Legislative District.”

In the 2013 legislative and special session, Crouse, 68, missed 121 votes out 694, including the vote for the 2013-15 capital budget, according to WashingtonVotes.org.  Asked about his missing votes, he told the Inlander that his wife, Peggy, fell seriously ill in March, forcing him to miss both the first and second special sessions to care for her. He also had surgery shortly after he was sworn in this year and suffered from food poisoning later.

“This has been a very difficult session for me, healthwise,” Crouse said.

First elected in 1995, Crouse is the longest serving Republican in the Washington State House of Representatives. He is the assistant ranking Republican on the House Technology and Economic Development Committee, and sits in the House Environment and Local Government committees. According to the press release, Crouse will continue to assist his constituents through the end of the year.