UPDATE: Democrat Darden Rice has committed to running for Stewart's seat, saying she believes she has a strong chance to snatch a victory from the GOP. Nancy Bostock has filed. Republican Jim Sebesta said he plans to make a decision Monday.

Pinellas County Commissioner Bob Stewart said today he will not seek another term. Stewart, a veteran Pinellas politico who served on the St. Petersburg City Council before being elected to the commission in 1994, said he had anguished over the decision for months.

"I will enormously miss the life of an elected official," said Stewart, 70. "I have been blessed and honored."

Stewart, the commission's current chairman, said he planned to spend more time with his family in Colorado, where his three sons and grandchildren live. Expect Pinellas School Board member Nancy Bostock, like Stewart a Republican, to soon enter the race. Former state Sen. Jim Sebesta, a Republican, and Darden Rice, a Democrat, have also expressed interest in the countywide seat.