MOSES LAKE - Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, announced he won't seek re-election to the Washington Legislature next year and instead will run for Kittitas County commissioner.

"I will finish my term as state representative and fulfill the important promise I made to 13th District residents," Hinkle stated. "My leadership experience in the Legislature - negotiating, reaching agreements and advocating for our communities - will be an asset for Kittitas County."

Hinkle, 54, was a Kittitas County commissioner from 1996 to 2002, stepping aside to run successfully for the Washington State House of Representatives nearly 10 years ago. He has represented the 13th District since then, but said he's running again for county commissioner because he "wants to bring his leadership experience home full time and focus on the needs of the people of Kittitas County."

Hinkle said he decided to go public with his decision a bit earlier than anticipated to avoid any confusion caused when his "good friend" Matthew Manweller filed to run with the state's Public Disclosure Commission. Manweller is so far the only candidate to file for the office.

"I didn't want people wondering if we were going to be running against each other," Hinkle said. "He's a sharp guy who will provide some diversity in the district."

Manweller, 41, is the Kittitas County GOP chairman and a Central Washington University political science professor. Since 2008 he's served on the Washington State Republican Party executive committee as well as the boards of several political and community organizations.

Now that Hinkle has made his decision not to run, Manweller said he's "looking seriously at the race" but may not make a final announcement until Sept. 1. Meanwhile he's been meeting with community organizations, business leaders and government officials across Grant County, he said.

"The 13th District is unique in that it covers three counties so you really need to be aware of all the issues," Manweller said.

The district includes all of Kittitas County and large sections of Grant and Yakima counties.