Kevin Witkos Will Not Seek 8th Term in State Senate.

State Senator Kevin Witkos will not seek re-election. The seven-term Canton Republican announced Thursday.

Witkos entered politics with a stunning win in 2002 when he defeated eight-term Democratic state Representative Jessie Stratton in their Avon and Canton district. Stratton was mounting a bid to become speaker of the house when Witkos, a popular Canton police officer, defeated her.

Witkos was the deputy Republican leader during the two years Republicans and Democrats each held 18 seats in the Senate.