INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO): Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long of Fort Wayne announced he is retiring Tuesday morning at the Statehouse.

Long plans to leave on Election Day in November, according to the Journal Gazette.

He has served 22 years in state government.

Long says he considered retiring in 2016. His current term isn’t up until 2020.

He has served the Indiana Senate since 1996, and has been its president since 2006.

This marks the third high-profile Republican retirement in the Statehouse in recent months, with Luke Kenley and Brandt Hershman stepping aside.

Long also serves as general counsel for Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne.

Fort Wayne Republican Senate President Pro Tem David Long stunned the Statehouse Tuesday by announcing he is retiring later this year after serving 22 years in the post.

Governor Eric Holcomb issued the following statement on Long’s retirement:

“For more than two decades, David has been a steady hand in the Statehouse no matter the subject or challenge. He is a humble servant leader, and our state owes many great accomplishments to him—though he would never say so. I will miss his cool head and the continuity he brought to the General Assembly. I wish him a long and happy retirement, but I know he’ll remain a mentor, advisor and trusted friend to many—including me.”