State Sen. Paul Whalen announced on the Senate floor today that he would not run for re-election this year.

Whalen, R-3rd (Kohala, Kona, Ka'u), was facing a potentially difficult campaign against state Rep. Josh Green, D-6th (N. Kona, Keauhou, Kailua, Kona), who has been actively raising money and campaigning for the seat.

Whalen had said he was interested in the state Office of Planning post, but the Lingle administration chose Moloka'i community planner Abbey Seth Mayer for the position.

Whalen was elected to the Senate in 2002. He had previously served in the state House.