COLUMBUS - Barbara Sykes said Monday she will not seek a fourth term as state representative in 2006.

``I know that if I run, I would not fill a full term, and I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to ask voters to elect me and then not serve the two years,'' said Sykes, who has represented the Akron area in the Statehouse since the 2000 election.

Sykes said she will complete her term, which will end in December 2006, then go into semiretirement, possibly working with the American Red Cross to address minority poverty and health issues.

``I will continue to work in some capacity helping people, but I want to pursue other avenues,'' Sykes said.

She recently spent three weeks in Texas as a volunteer liaison for the Red Cross with local government officials in areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Sykes said she began to realize then that she wanted to return to social work -- at her own pace and on her schedule.

``There are other things I can do. I am looking forward to not driving to and from Columbus, attending long meetings and ending up at the same place every week,'' she said.

Sykes would not have faced term limits until serving a fourth term. She will be able to purchase retirement credit through the Public Employees Retirement System to accumulate 30 years of service.

``The first part of my life has been pretty good and I want the second part of my life to be better,'' she said.

Sykes, who will turn 50 this year, said she has encouraged her husband, Vernon, to run for the seat, but he has not decided.

``I told him it would be a good thing to do,'' she said. ``I kind of think he may have a desire to get back into the fray.''

Vernon Sykes was state representative for the Akron area from 1983 to 2000, when he was forced to leave the legislature because of term limits.

Barbara Sykes said she is making the announcement now to give potential candidates an opportunity to circulate petitions and organize their efforts before the filing deadline in February.

Sykes said she had told a few political colleagues in Summit County and House Minority Leader Chris Redfern, D-Catawba Island, about her decision, but had not told the county or state Democratic parties.

Her role as president of the Ohio Black Legislative Caucus will end at the same time she leaves the legislature.

Sykes, an unsuccessful candidate for state treasurer in 1994, said she is not interested in being on the statewide ticket next year.

She said she supports Democratic Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman in his run for governor.