Alex N. Gecan, and Mike Davis

Asbury Park Press

MIDDLETOWN - Sen. Joseph Kyrillos announced Tuesday that he would not seek a new term come 2017.

"It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve the people of my district and the state of New Jersey in the legislature," Kyrillos said in a prepared statement. "Ever since I was a kid growing up in Monmouth County, I've always believed that public service is an important and noble profession.

"I am truly fortunate to have had the ability to serve for so many years in the state senate, and I'm proud of what I've accomplished on behalf of the people of New Jersey. And, of course, the frustrations of serving in the minority and the current political process are obvious," he said.

For much of Gov. Chris Christie's time in office, Kyrillos had been a confidante and ardent supporter. But Kyrillos criticized the governor after the George Washington Bridge scandal and endorsed former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for the Republican presidential nomination, eschewing Christie.

KYRILLOS: Senator snubs Christie, endorses Jeb

"Joe Kyrillos has served the interests of his constituents and all the people of our state with great skill and passion for nearly three decades," Christie said in a statement. "His decision not to seek re-election is obviously a personal one. I congratulate him on his years of service to our state and our party."

Kyrillos' 13th district stretches across 15 municipalities in northern Monmouth County. Two other Republicans, Amy Handlin and Declan O'Scanlon, represent the district in the Assembly.

Along with Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Monmouth, Kyrillos has brought legislation to bear to fight a 10-mile Jersey Central Power & Light transmission line project that has roiled homeowners in northern Monmouth County and brought forth furious backlash from those who would live in the shadows of the new lines.

He also recently voted in favor of a controversial funding package that would raise the state's gasoline tax 23 cents on the gallon, a compromise that ended a months-long stalemate over how to reinvigorate New Jersey's Transportation Trust Fund.

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First elected to the General Assembly in 1988, Kyrillos served two terms in that house before his first term as a senator began in 1992, according to his state biography. He currently sits on the Economic Growth, Judiciary and Legislative Oversight committees and the Legislative Services Commission. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Hobart College and a master's degree in communications from Boston University.

Kyrillos is a senior managing director for international real estate firm Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and director of Red Bank-based financial advisory outfit Newport Capital Group, according to his bio.

The state senator also ran an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2012. He lost handily to incumbent Democrat Bob Menendez, though he carried most of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

“Joe Kyrillos’s history of public service to Monmouth County and all of New Jersey is extraordinary," Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr., R-Union, said in a statement. "He has been the voice of reason that members of both parties in the New Jersey Senate have looked to for leadership on key issues since 1992."

Alex N. Gecan: 732-643-4043; agecan@gannettnj.com