Michigan Democratic Senator Carl Levin won't seek re-election in 2014

(WXYZ) - US Senator Carl Levin will not seek re-election in 2014 according to a press release from his offices Thursday.

The Michigan senator released the following statement:

"This decision was extremely difficult because I love representing the people of Michigan in the U.S. Senate and fighting for the things that I believe are important to them.

As Barbara and I struggled with the question of whether I should run again, we focused on our belief that our country is at a crossroads that will determine our economic health and security for decades to come.  We decided that I can best serve my state and nation by concentrating in the next two years on the challenging issues before us that I am in a position to help address; in other words, by doing my job without the distraction of campaigning for re-election".

The Michigan Democratic Senator has been serving since 1979. He is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.