Island County Commissioner Kelly Emerson has announced that she will not run for re-election next year.

Emerson represents Island County’s District 3, which comprises Camano Island and North Whidbey Island.

She could not be reached for comment.

According to her website, camanokelly.com, Emerson was the founder of Renew Liberty which was the Tea Party organization for Snohomish and Island Counties.

Emerson made the announcement in her December newsletter.

“For nearly my entire term in office thus far, this wretched economy has forced my husband distances far too great to commute daily for work,” Emerson wrote. “Nearly three years of a weekend marriage has deprived this young couple of much time together.”

We cannot get back the time we’ve lost, but I can stop it from carrying on into another term. I will not be seeking re-election next year. It has been an honor and privilege to represent the good people of Island County, in particular District 3. Thank you for the opportunity and please know that I will continue the fight to restore this once great country.”

Democratic candidate Karla Jacks of Camano Island announced earlier this year that she will run for the District 3 seat in 2014. Jacks volunteers at Camano schools, the Rotary Club and the YMCA Program Committee; she serves as the president of the Camano Island Chamber of Commerce.

Jacks is in her seventh year working as the executive director of the Camano Center, which provides a variety of services and resources for Camano residents of all ages.

Emerson has been under scrutiny since she was stripped of her chairmanship title in July after her two fellow commissioners questioned her work ethic, ability to lead and willingness to proceed according to board consensus.

Emerson has had a tenuous relationship with her employer since she has sued Island County twice over an unissued building permit to place a deck on her Camano Island home.