Commissioner Kelly Emerson has announced that she will not run for re-election next year.

Emerson represents Island County’s District 3, which is comprised of Camano Island and North Whidbey Island.

She could not be reached for comment Thursday for this story.

According to her website, camanokelly.com, Emerson was the founder of Renew Liberty which was the Tea Party organization for Snohomish and Island counties.

Emerson made the announcement in her December newsletter.

“For nearly my entire term in office thus far, this wretched economy has forced my husband distances far too great to commute daily for work,” Emerson wrote in her December newsletter. “Nearly three years of a weekend marriage has deprived this young couple of much time together.”

“We cannot get back the time we’ve lost, but I can stop it from carrying on into another term. I will not be seeking re-election next year.

It has been an honor and privilege to represent the good people of Island County, in particular District 3. Thank you for the opportunity and please know that I will continue the fight to restore this once great country.”

Democratic candidate Karla Jacks of Camano Island announced earlier this year that she will run for the District 3 seat in 2014.

Jacks volunteers at Camano schools, with the Rotary Club, with the YMCA Program Committee and serves as the president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Jacks is in her seventh year working as the executive director of the Camano Center, which provides a variety of services and resources for Camano residents of all ages.

Emerson has been under scrutiny since she was named the chairwoman of the board earlier this year, and then stripped of her title in July after commissioners questioned her work ethic, ability to lead and willingness to proceed according to board consensus.