Alex Wood said he will retire from the Legislature at the end of next year, creating a possible free-for-all among Democrats in central Spokane's 3rd District.

Wood told the Warren G. Magnuson Democratic Club at lunch today that the upcoming session (sessions, perhaps if they can't figure out the budget dilemma) will be his last. He's been in the House of Representatives since January 1997, after more than 20 years as a radio broadcaster.

He never faced a serious Republican challenge in his succeeding elections, but then, it's one of the state's most reliably Democratic districts. Open seats in the 3rd can set off a stampede in the primary.

Wood's announcement made final what he's been hinting at since the 2008 election. Already in the race is Andy Billig, president and part-owner of the Spokane Indians baseball club.

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