Former state Rep. John Serben confirmed last night that he's pulling out of the race to regain his former 6th Legislative District seat in the House of Representatives.

After talking it over with his family, Serben said, he concluded that it's not the right time to return to Olympia and be separated for months of each year.

"I'm lucky -- I've been married for about 20 years and me and my wife still actually like each other," he said.

Also a factor in the decision: Serben's new job doing public- and government relations for American Medical Response.

Serben was ousted by Democrat Don Barlow in November 2006, and soon filed campaign paperwork to try to reclaim that seat in the 2008 election. But he would have faced a strong primary challenge from a third candidate, Spokane businessman and fellow Republican Kevin Parker.

Serben said he's endorsing Parker, adding that the two agree on many issues.

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