East Lyme — State Rep. Ed Jutila, a Democrat who has held the 37th House District seat since 2004, announced Friday that he will not seek re-election in 2016.

The district includes East Lyme and Salem.

In a news release, Jutila noted the demands of working full time while also serving in the General Assembly. He said it is time to step aside and give others the opportunity to serve.　

"I've enjoyed every minute of my six terms representing the great people of East Lyme and Salem. It has truly been an incredible experience that I will cherish forever," he said in his release. "But now it is time, once again, to devote my full attention to my career as an attorney in the private sector, while also freeing up some additional time to enjoy life with my wife and family."

Jutila is co-chairman of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, and has been a member of the Transportation Committee during his entire tenure. He previously served as vice chairman of both the General Law Committee and Public Safety and Security Committee, as well as assistant majority leader and deputy majority whip.

The release said that he is most proud of his recent Champion of Open Government Award from the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information, as well as a 2010 award from the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, an organization whose membership includes 22,000 volunteer firefighters. A volunteer since he was 15, he is a life member of the Niantic Fire Department.

Jutila has served on the East Lyme Board of Selectmen, Charter Revision Commission, as chairman of the Democratic Town Committee and deputy town meeting moderator.