California State Sen. Bill Emmerson Resigning, Saying 'Passion Has Waned'

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The office of the state Senate leader says Republican Sen. Bill Emmerson is resigning in midterm, citing his waning enthusiasm for a job he has held since 2010.

Emmerson, who is 68, has represented his Southern California district in the Assembly and state Senate since 2004. He would have been forced out of office by term limits in 2016.

Mark Hedlund, spokesman for the Senate President Pro Tem's office, said it came as a surprise when Emmerson submitted his resignation Friday afternoon.

The resignation is effective Dec. 1. It sets up a special election but is not expect to change the composition of the Senate, where Democrats hold a two-thirds supermajority.

In a statement, Emmerson says he remains in perfect health but that his "passion has waned."

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.