A veteran Democrat state lawmaker from Pittsburgh's western suburbs is retiring.
State Rep. Nick Kotik, of Robinson Township, says he won't run to retain his 45th District House seat this year.
Kotik was elected in 2002 and is the House Democratic Chairman of the Gaming Oversight Committee. He is known for leading the contingent of Blue Dog Democrats, socially conservative lawmakers mostly from western Pennsylvania.
Kotik recently turned 65 and says seven terms in the House is long enough to serve.
Kotik lives in Robinson Township.
He previously served as an aide to the late state Rep. Fred Trello, was an Allegheny County property assessor and payroll accountant, and formerly served as treasurer and ordinance manager in McKees Rocks.
