Jacobsen joins ranks of departing Dems

OLYMPIA — Sen. Ken Jacobsen of Seattle won’t run for re-election this year.

The 28-year veteran became the fourth Democrat to announce he’s quitting when his term runs out this year: “The job has been wonderful, but at times very stressful. My high blood pressure has forced me to reassess my priorities, especiallyl after it was responsible for a brief stay in the hospital this past October.”

Jacobsen joins Sens. Joe McDermott, Darlene Fairley and Rosa Franklin in hanging it up after long careers. On the Republican side, Sen. Dale Brandland is calling it quits.