Rep. John McCrostie — a music teacher serving on the House Education Committee — says he will not seek re-election in 2022.

McCrostie, D-Garden City, announced his decision in an email to supporters.

He said he began rethinking his political plans after the fall, after he ran unsuccessfully for a City Council seat in Garden City. He said he considered staying in the House, or running for the Senate, where District 16 Sen. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, is stepping down at the end of his term.

“I still find much joy in my classroom with my budding musicians, and I always look forward to returning to them after the session concludes,” McCrostie wrote. “After eight years in the House, I have not found the same joy with this job that I experienced in earlier years.”

In his letter, McCrostie reflected on his journey to the Legislature — which began during the debate over then-state superintendent Tom Luna’s Students Come First laws, overturned by voters in 2012.

“When I waited in line for eight hours over two days to testify for 30 seconds against the Luna Laws, I never imagined that I would eventually carry over 45 pieces of legislation across the floor of the Idaho House.”

McCrostie’s decision somewhat clears the Democratic field in District 16, a Democratic stronghold that takes in Garden City and northwest Boise.

Former Sen. Ali Rabe, D-Boise, has announced she will run for Senate.

Boise teacher Sonia Galaviz has announced she will run for the House on the Democratic ticket.

District 16 Rep. Colin Nash, D-Boise, has said he will seek a second term.