State Sen. Jerry Behn, R-Boone, announced on Friday his plans to retire from the Iowa Senate.

Behn said he will retire when his sixth term comes to an end at the end of this year.

“I want to thank all my constituents for the honor of representing them in the Iowa Senate all these years,” Behn said. “It has been one of the greatest privileges I have been bestowed. I’m proud of the work I have done and the policies we have put into place these last few years to grow our economy, attract businesses to our state and encourage smaller government.”

Behn, who has been farming for 47 years, was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 1996. He served as a Boone County supervisor from 1995 to 1996.

He was last elected in 2016 when he defeated Keith Puntenney in the Iowa State Senate District 24 general election.

His Senate district includes Boone, Greene and Hamilton counties plus southeastern Webster County.

“During my first term in the Iowa Senate, I was proud to cast a vote for the largest income tax cut in Iowa history at the time,” Behn said. “I was equally proud of my vote during my last term to support an even larger income tax cut, keeping my promise to voters to reduce their tax burden.”

Behn served as the Republican leader in 2012 and currently serves as the president pro tempore.

He serves as the vice chair on the Ethics Committee. He also serves on the Education, Rules and Administration, Natural Resources and Ways and Means committees.

Behn is a member of the Farm Bureau, Iowa Soybean Association, National Rifle Association and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.

Behn graduated from United Community High School.