North Carolina Sen. Jim Jacumin, R-Caldwell/Burke, announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2010 due to family reasons.

Jacumin, currently serving his third two-year term from the 44th District, said he will remain in the N.C. General Assembly until the conclusion of the legislative session that is scheduled to reconvene in May 2010.

Jacumin said concerns about the health of his wife, Nancy, prompted the decision not to run again.

"I've always tried to put God first, family second and country third," said Jacumin, who will be 73 next month. "We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary a year ago. Everything I've been able to do, she has been a part of it. I told her, 'We've got to put you first now.'"

A retired businessman, Jacumin received a degree in nuclear engineering from N.C. State University and was the founder and president of Jacumin Engineering and Machine Company. He also started I-Tex Inc., which later became Omara Textiles.

During the most recent legislative session, Jacumin introduced bills to allow home-schooled students to participate on athletic teams in their public school districts and to reduce the number of signatures needed for political parties to gain ballot access.

He also has championed a measure to allow private foundations to provide economic development funding to low profit limited liability companies (L3Cs), which Jacumin believes will reignite manufacturing investment in a district that has been hard hit by job losses in the furniture and textile industries.

Caldwell County Republican Party Chairman Ron Roukema said he spoke with Jacumin on Tuesday evening and learned of his decision not to seek re-election.

"I'm sad to see that this is going to happen," Roukema said. "He's been a great leader in Raleigh and in never forgetting who he represents. He will be hard to replace."

Roukema said he has been aware of the Jacumins' personal situation.

"Because he has worked close with us, I knew what was going on behind the scenes," Roukema said. "And Sen. Jacumin being a true gentleman, he puts his family up there where it should be."

Roukema said the party will begin the process of looking for a candidate to run next year. One name already being floated in GOP circles is Rep. Edgar Starnes, who is in his eighth term in the N.C. House of Representatives.

"We're going to go ahead and find a qualified conservative," Roukema said. "And I know Jim is going to do whatever he can to get that person elected."

Starnes said Wednesday that he is evaluating making a run for the seat and expects to make a decision before Thanksgiving.

"Jimmy Jacumin has been a first-rate senator," Starnes said. "He's done an excellent job of representing the people of Caldwell and Burke County. You don't have to worry about where he stands, because he is always going to do the right thing.

"I'm going to explore the opportunity and see if it is the right thing for me to do. I've enjoyed serving the people of Caldwell County, and it's been my intention to run for re-election. Now that there is going to be a vacant Senate seat, I'm going to have to consider that before I run for the House."

Thus far, the only declared candidate for Jacumin's seat is former Caldwell County Democratic Party Chairwoman Dr. Beth Jones.

"I understand the importance of tending to family matters," Jones said. "I certainly wish him and her well and the best of health. It doesn't change my goals and the things I want to accomplish on education and in bringing jobs to the area."

Another potential Democratic candidate is Morganton's Jim Cates, who was defeated by Jacumin last year. Cates said Wednesday he is weighing his options on another Senate bid or possibly challenging Rep. Hugh Blackwell in the House of Representatives.