Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, announced on Saturday he is not seeking re-election.

Benton, a vocal conservative who has served 22 years in the Washington Legislature, said he would step down at the end of his term on Dec. 31.

“Given my love for public service, I make this decision with a heavy heart,” Benton said in a four-page statement. “But it has become clear to me that my current employer has decided that it is no longer desirable for me to serve in the Legislature while doing my job at the county.”

Benton is director of Clark County Environmental Services. Earlier this month, Acting County Manager Mark McCauley sent Benton a letter alerting him to a change of policy: Benton would need to be at work during the county’s regular business hours if he wanted to be paid for county work.

Benton responded to McCauley, in an email, saying the inability to telecommute from Olympia hurt his ability to pay his bills.