Gov. Chris Gregoire will not seek a third term as governor, she announced Monday morning.

After more than 40 years in public service, Gregoire said she was ready for a break. She also wants to make sure she can focus on a crucial 18 months before the 2012 election.

“The last thing I need to do is be distracted by a campaign,” said Gregoire, an Auburn native. “I need to set my sights on the next 18 months to pull this state out of recession.”

Before serving two terms as governor, Gregoire was the attorney general for three terms. She has been rumored as a potential candidate for a position with President Barack Obama’s cabinet. Gregoire gave a vote of support to the president, but “that doesn’t mean I’m looking for a job,” she said.

Her decision not to run again opens up the field on the Democratic side of the ticket. Gregoire mentioned Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Bainbridge Island) as a candidate she hopes will run. Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Bellevue Republican, last week announced his intention to run. Whoever ends up as the governor after the 2012 election will have a tough job ahead of him, Gregoire said.

“I just hope we get the greatest governor that the people of Washington state need and deserve,” she said. “They must continue to lead in health care, and they have to lead in protecting our most vulnerable and qualities of life.”

Belleuve Reporter Nat Levy can be reached at 425-453-4290.