U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks speaks in Secretary Reed’s office during the 2009 launch of the oral history and biography of Kitsap County civil rights activist Lillian Walker.

Secretary of State Sam Reed paid tribute Friday to Norm Dicks, dean of the Washington House delegation, who announced that he will not seek re-election to a 19th term this fall. He is the longest serving congressman in state history, eclipsing even the former House Speaker, Tom Foley, who served 30 years.

Dicks, the ranking Democrat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, has represented the 6th District since his first election in 1976. The district has elected only one Republican since it was created after the 1930 Census. Dicks was previously a football star and law school grad from the University of Washington and was top aide to Sen. Warren G. “Maggie” Magnuson, who was head of the Senate Appropriations Committee and president pro tempore.

In his surprise announcement, Dicks said he wants to “change gears and enjoy life at a different pace.”  He said he wants to spend more time with his family and to take care of his health better.

His 6th District, stretching from Tacoma and Bremerton to the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas, was recently redrawn somewhat by the state Redistricting Commission, but his re-election had been considered a sure bet by analysts.

Filing Week for candidates will begin May 14.  A Top 2 Primary is Aug. 7, with the two highest vote-getters advancing to the General Election.

State Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, said he is seriously considering the race, and others were also eying the sudden development.

An outpouring of tributes came immediately after Dicks’ announcement, including kudos from Sen. Patty Murray and other congressional colleagues, and Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Reed, a 12-year Republican incumbent who is retiring himself, made it a bipartisan salute:

“I admired Norm’s dedication to our state.  He never played partisan politics when dealing with state issues.  He was responsive and very effective.  More remarkable, he was that way throughout his career in Washington, D.C., from the time he worked for Maggie to today.

“I also appreciated his heartfelt, steadfast support for heritage projects in the state that preserve our state’s history and make it available to young and old alike.

“He was a good man.  I will miss him.”