Hudson Valley Democrat Aileen Gunther is set to retire at the end of this term after serving for over two decades in the state Assembly.

In a statement posted to social media, the chair of the Mental Health Committee said her time in the Legislature had been an “honor,” and she is “wholeheartedly committed to securing funding” and “meaningful policy” before the end of her term.

Gunther was first elected in 2003 to fill the unexpired term of her husband, Jacob, who passed away after a battle with cancer. Prior to serving in the Legislature, Gunther worked as a nurse and HIV counselor in the Hudson Valley.

Gunther and her husband have represented the district for over three decades. Gunther has served as the chair of the Assembly Mental Committee since 2013, and has been an advocate for health care issues during her 10 terms in office.

Gunther points to passage of the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act and securing funding for mental health services as her major accomplishments while in office.

The race to succeed Gunther could turn into one of the more competitive Assembly races in the 2024 election cycle. In her last reelection effort, Gunther received 56.6% of the vote in her race against Republican Lisa LaBue.