Democratic Sen. Leventis won’t seek re-election

SUMTER, S.C. (AP) — Sumter Democrat Phil Leventis has decided not to run for re-election after more than three decades serving in the South Carolina Senate.

The 66-year-old retired fighter pilot says he wants to step down and find something else to do while he is still has the energy to do it. Leventis wants to focus on teaching and writing. He taught a course at the University of South Carolina last semester.

Leventis was first elected to the Senate in 1980. He ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2002.

Leventis served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1974 and for the South Carolina Air National Guard from 1974 to 1999. He volunteered for duty in the first Gulf War and flew 21 missions over Kuwait and Iraq.