(KAIR)--Longtime State Representative Jerry Henry will not seek re-election to the 63rd District Kansas House seat he's held for many years. Instead, the Cummings Democrat has decided to run for the Kansas Senate. 

Henry Friday announced that he is filing to seek the 1st District Senate seat, held by Republican Dennis Pyle, of rural Hiawatha. 

The 1st District includes Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, and Nemaha Counties, along with portions of Pottawatomie and Marshall Counties. 

Henry is currently in his twelfth term as State Representative, serving as the ranking Minority Member of the House Appropriations Committee. 

In a press release, Henry says the decision to run for the Senate is not one he took lightly, but is doing so because people across the district have told him “Senator Pyle doesn't share their values.” 

He adds that residents in the 1st District “want someone who values K-12 education, public safety, and sound fiscal policies.” 

Henry, in the press release, says one of the largest reasons he serves in the Legislature “is to ensure that impoverished, sick, disabled and elderly Kansas citizens have a voice in the law making process.” 

Pyle, who billed himself as a “true conservative” during his last election bid for the Senate seat, has held the position since 2005. He has not yet filed for re-election. 

According to the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, another Democrat, Hoyt resident Lauren Van Wagoner, filed to run for the 1st District Senate position in December. 

Two candidates have so far filed for the 63rd House of Representatives seat currently held by Henry. Just this week, Atchison Doctor John Eplee filed to seek election to the position as a Republican, joining Highland Democrat W. Brett Neibling, who filed last month. 

Candidates have until noon June 1st to file for the August 2nd Kansas Primary Election. 

The General Election is set for November 8th.