ASHLAND — Family comes first.

Rep. John Vincent, R-Ashland, who has represented the 100th District in the state legislature for the past 12 years, has decided not to run for re-election when his term expires on Dec. 31, 2008.

Vincent, 48, cited family as the main reason for not seeking another term.

“I want to spend more time with my family and watch my boys go through high school,” he said. “I’ve been in here as a legislator all through Matthew’s life. He never got to spend an early winter with me.”

Vincent and his wife, Debbie, have two sons, Luke and Matthew. Luke is a sophomore at Paul G. Blazer High School and Matthew a sixth-grader at Hager Elementary.

“I ran the first campaign when Debbie was pregnant with Matthew,” he said, referring to the 1996 special election when Vincent was elected to finish the term of Don Farley, who had died in the spring of that year.

“It was basically a four-month term and then I had to run again in the general election for the two-year term,” he said.

Since then Vincent has been a fixture in the 100th District seat. He has served in several strategic leadership positions along the way and become respected across party lines. Vincent is part of a northeastern Kentucky delegation that has worked well together on many projects to benefit the area.

Rep. Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, said Vincent would be sorely missed.

“He’s the type of legislator that every district looks to have because of his honesty and integrity,” Adkins said. “There’s always partisan issues that come up in the General Assembly but when it comes to issues that affect our area, it doesn’t matter about party lines.”

Adkins said as much as he respects Vincent as a state lawmaker, he respects him even more as a friend.

“He’s somebody I could count on and talk with, someone who would always give me the best counsel and advice,” he said. “He’s been someone I can call friend. He’s been a true friend to me. Our Democratic leadership, as a whole, has a tremendous amount of respect for John Vincent. We placed him on key committees while he was there. We put him on there because of his knowledge and ability.”

Vincent, Adkins, Rep. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, Rep. Tanya Pullin, D-South Shore, State Sen. Charlie Borders, R-Grayson, and State Sen. Walter Blevins, D-West Liberty, have represented the northeastern Kentucky delegation that has worked together across party lines and are positioned on key committees in the House and Senate.

“Our delegation has become renown statewide across party lines,” Vincent said. “It is unique and doesn’t happen in all areas. There’s no jealousy between any of our members. We work together and confide together. It’s a team effort. I can’t say enough about my colleagues in the legislature. They are true friends, true statesmen and friends of our community.”

Vincent said as he looks back on the last dozen years, it’s almost like a blur. However, some of his highlights have been to help pass bills to protect citizens from identity theft along with work on the budget that has helped the area with community college expansions, a juvenile detention facility and a new courthouse.

Vincent said he prayed about the decision not to seek re-election and felt at peace with it.

“Certainly, John Vincent is one of those people who have made the Kentucky legislature much better because of his integrity and character,” Borders said. “Those are the kind of people we need in local government, in Frankfort and in Washington. Everybody knows and appreciates the effort John makes.

“Legislature jobs are considered part-time but they’re all-consuming,” Borders said. “John was respected from both sides of the aisle. He put a good tenure there in Frankfort.”

Borders said Vincent’s reasoning for getting out of politics is sound as well.

“There’s an appreciation for him wanting to get on to his life,” he said. “John is active in his church, with his kids and with (Little League) coaching (the past 30 years). Timing is everything and with John’s children’s ages being what they are, it’s a good time for him.”

Vincent, a lifelong resident of Ashland who graduated from Paul G. Blazer High School in 1977, said the extra time will also be devoted to his law practice at Martin, Vincent and Lavender in Ashland.

“I’ve been very blessed by God to be able to serve in this position and I’ve been humbled by the support of the community that has allowed me to serve in this position for so long,” he said. “There’s no greater honor for a person than to be able to represent their home community in the General Assembly.”

The filing deadline for the general election is Jan. 29.

“Hopefully whoever decides to run for that seat will talk to John,” Borders said. “We need somebody to work with us, to be there for the betterment of this area without regard to politics. John can tell them exactly what the job is about.”

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.