New York state Sen. Patty Ritchie will not seek re-election this year.

The Republican lawmaker announced Wednesday afternoon that she will retire at the end of her current term in the Legislature.

"This is a decision I did not arrive at lightly. However, it is the right one for my family and I," Ritchie said in a statement. "Next month will mark 36 years of public service for me and while words cannot express how much I will miss the work I do, I look forward to being able to spend more time with my family—including my husband who retired a year ago, my children and my grandchildren."

Ritchie was first elected in 2010 to the 48th Senate District, which covers the eastern shore of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River shoreline.

In the Legislature, Ritchie served as chair of the Senate's Agriculture Committee, co-chair of the bi-cameral Legislative Commission on Rural Resources and deputy vice chair of the Senate Health Committee.

"From my days in the St. Lawrence County Department of Motor Vehicles, to my ten years as County Clerk, to my current role as State Senator, public service has always been my passion," Ritchie said. "Thank you to the voters who put their faith in me, and allowed me to do what I enjoy the most. With your support, we have achieved many great things."