State Rep. Jerry Chang, a Democrat who has represented Hilo in the House for two decades, announced today that he will not seek re-election.

New political boundaries drawn after the census placed Chang into the same district as state Rep. Mark Nakashima, a fellow Democrat.

"I want to thank the voters for their support and for the opportunity to represent them over the past 24 years," Chang said in a statement. "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the Big Island and the state of Hawaii. I have always been humbled by their trust in me to be their voice at the Legislature. Together, with the Hawaii Island delegation, I am proud of the work that we have accomplished for the benefit of the people."

Chang, an ally of House Speaker Calvin Say, is the chairman of the House Water, Land and Ocean Resources Committee. He did not rule out another run for public office in the future.