Speaker of the state House of Representatives Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, announced Jan. 23 that he will not seek reelection to his legislative seat this year and will retire from the House at the end of the present session.

Turzai, called by The Associated Press “the most prominent fiscal and social conservative in state government,” made the announcement at a press conference in his district. He is set to leave the speaker’s chair at the end of his third term as the highest-ranking lawmaker in the House.