As this March 8th dawns, the 57th legislative day, there's a plump little slice of moon hanging next to the capitol, and the filing period for candidates for office is opening. Today through March 19 is the time for candidates for the state legislature and all state offices to file their official intentions with the state - whether they'll run for office or not. Already, over the weekend, there was an announcement from four-term Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d'Alene, that he won't be seeking re-election to a fifth term. Sayler, the former assistant House minority leader who championed landmark day-care licensing legislation - often against opponents who said mothers simply should stay home with their kids -  said he's ready to enjoy his retirement; he's a retired high school government teacher. Click below to read Sayler's full statement.

Statement from Rep. George Sayler:

EIGHT YEARS AGO, IN MARCH OF 2002, I FIRST ANNOUNCED MY INTENTION TO RUN FOR ELECTION AS STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT FOUR.  I WAS A POLITCAL NOVICE VENTURING INTO AN UNFAMILIAR REALM, AND IT WAS AN EXHILARATING AND EXCITING CAMPAIGN WITH A CLOSE VICTORY.  NOW, AFTER FOUR SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS, AND WITH OVER SEVEN YEARS IN OFFICE, IT IS TIME FOR THIS POLITICAL VETERAN  TO ANNOUNCE THAT I WILL NOT BE RUNNING FOR A FIFTH TERM.
WHEN MY TERM IS UP AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, I WILL HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE FOR EIGHT YEARS. I HAVE HAD ONE CAREER TEACHING GOVERNMENT FOR THIRTY YEARS, AND WAS NOT SEEKING ANOTHER WHEN I FIRST RAN.  SIMPLY PUT, IT IS TIME FOR ME TO MOVE ON TO SERVE IN OTHER WAYS, AND TO ENJOY RETIREMENT WITH MY WIFE, WHO IS NOW RETIRED, AND WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.  
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPPORT, ENCOURAGMENT, PATIENCE AND SACRIFICE OF MY WIFE KATIE, WHO HAD TO BE A LEGISLATIVE WIDOW ON FAR TOO MANY OCCASIONS, AND WHO WAS LEFT TO DEAL WITH HEARTH AND HOME WHILE I WAS IN BOISE.  HER SUPPORT, COUNSEL, AND ENCOURAGEMENT HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE TO ME.
SERVING HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING EXPERIENCE, AND I HAVE TRIED TO REPRESENT YOU IN A RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE MANNER.  I HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL IN THE PROCESS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TEACHING GOVERNMENT AND DOING IT!
I HAVE FOUND YOU, THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT FOUR TO BE SUPPORTIVE, ENCOURAGING, UNDERSTANDING, AND EVEN FORGIVING, AND FOR ALL OF THAT I AM GRATEFUL.  I HAVE LEARNED MUCH FROM YOU AND HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY ENRICHED BY THIS EXPERIENCE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR POLITICAL PROCESS, AS MANY OF YOU HAVE, AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE NEW FRESH VOICES IN BOISE.  IF WE MAKE OUR SERVICE A CAREET WE DENY OTHERS THAT OPPORTUNITY, AND SO NOW…..
IT IS TIME TO ALLOW NEW LEADERSHIP TO STEP FORTH, AND I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THERE IS A WONDERFUL CANDIDATE WILLING TO RUN FOR MY POSITION.  THAT PERSON IS SOMEONE YOU WILL BE PROUD TO SUPPORT. IT IS A PERSON WHO VALUES INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND HOW THEY LIVE, WORK, AND INTERACT AS A COMMUNITY, SOMEONE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE, THOUGHTFUL, OPEN-MINDED AND WHO BELIEVES THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT HAVE A POSITIVE ROLE TO PLAY IN OUR LIVES.
I CAN’T TELL YOU TODAY WHO THAT PERSON IS, BUT WHEN THE TIME COMES, I AM ASKING YOU TO STEP UP AND GIVE YOUR SUPPORT.
THE STAKES ARE HIGH IN THIS ELECTION YEAR, AND THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES IN DISTRICT FOUR AND IN OUR COUNTY TO SERVE, AND I HOPE SOME OF YOU WILL CONSIDER THOSE.
 DEMOCRATS HAVE A STRONG MESSAGE THIS YEAR.  WE HAVE PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO CREATE JOBS AND ARGUED FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE WITHOUT ANY TAX INCREASE TO HELP REDUCE BUGET CUTS TO SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CARE.  WE ALSO HAVE GREAT CANDIDATE S INCLUDING KEITH ALLRED RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.
I URGE YOU TO STAY INVOLVED BECAUSE IT IS YOUR INVOLVMENT AND HELP THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SERVE.
I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE EFFORTS OF MY CAMPAIGN TEAM, MANY OF WHOM STAYED THE COURSE THROUGH ALL FOUR CAMPAIGNS.  THEY HAVE GIVEN MORE IN TIME, MONEY, ENCOURAGEMENT AND GUIDANCE THAN I HAD ANY RIGHT TO EXPECT AND MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO RUN SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS. MANY, MANY THANKS TO ALL OF THEM!
THE SESSION IS NOT OVER AND OUR PLEDGE IS TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONCERNS AND CONTINUE TO WORK HARD FOR YOU.
FINALLY, TO ALL OF YOU, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT, HARD WORK, ENCOURAGEMENT AND FRIENDSHIP.  IT HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE AN HONOR TO SERVE YOU.
THANK YOU!