Georgia Rep. Rich Golick announced Monday he's retiring at the end of 2018 after serving 20 years in the Georgia General Assembly.

Golick, a Republican attorney representing Smyrna, said in a statement he promised himself years ago to spend more time with his two sons during their teenage years.

"There's just no way for me to keep that promise completely if I'm running a time-consuming campaign this summer and fall — in addition to fulfilling my private sector job responsibilities — and then serving an additional two years in the state House on top of that," Golick said. "The choice was clear and obvious."

This fall’s campaign to replace Golick in House District 40 could be competitive. Golick last won re-election against Democrat Erick Allen in 2016 with 54 percent of the vote.

A look ahead at the 2018 legislative session with AJC political reporters Mark Niesse and Maya Prabhu. Plus Phrase of the Week with James Salzer. (Video by Bob Andres, edit by Erica A. Hernandez/ AJC STAFF)