State Rep. Jeff Wheeland, R-Loyalsock Township, announced Friday that he will not seek another term in the state House.

Wheeland, first elected in 2014, said he wants to spend more time with family.

“It has been a great honor to serve the people of Lycoming County and one I will never forget, but I went to Harrisburg to serve my neighbors and our community, not make a career,” he said. “Now is the time for someone new to continue our fight for conservative policies that help all of Pennsylvania.”

Wheeland, a husband, father and grandfather, noted how his family has sacrificed for him to serve over the years.

A former business owner and Lycoming County commissioner, Wheeland told the Sun-Gazette being a state lawmaker was everything he expected it to be.

He said he will miss serving the people of the 83rd District.

“I enjoyed every minute of it,” he said.

While in office, Wheeland backed conservative fiscal policies that focused on helping to attract new jobs to the state.

He also focused on the correlation between ensuring a strong education system, and economic and job growth, which is why he was a strong supporter of investment, choice, and accountability in the education system ­ including technical and vocational education.

Wheeland said he has no specific plans when he leaves office at the end of this year.

He plans to continue to make his home in Lycoming County.

“We are all only blessed with so much time on this earth and I want to spend more of it with those I love,” he said.