After nearly 40 years in Alaska's state Capitol, Sen. Lyman Hoffman is calling it quits.

On June 25, the Bethel Democrat confirmed that he will not seek reelection in 2026 and will end a political career that has left him as the longest-serving state legislator in Alaska history.

"Forty years is enough," Hoffman said.

"I'm going to go back and become a civilian, and I'm going to talk with Rep. Edgmon and encourage him to file for my seat," Hoffman said, referring to Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, of Dillingham.

Hoffman was elected to the state House in 1986 and to the state Senate in 1994. That year, his closest opponent was Edgmon.

"He's from the region. He's been in politics for over 20 years. I think we would have more continuity in having a seasoned person to represent the Senate district," Hoffman said of Edgmon.

By text message, Edgmon said he is "taking a serious look" at running for Senate.

Hoffman confirmed that he doesn't intend to run for any other office.

"The family life - that's the toughest part. Leaving home, leaving family, leaving friends for three to six months out of every year, it puts a big strain," he said. "So a lot of kudos out to my wife Lillian for putting up with me to do what I love to do."

In a 15-minute phone interview, Hoffman reflected on his career, saying that in addition to a law that requires the state to fund rural schools, his biggest achievements were those related to energy. He successfully created an endowment fund for the Power Cost Equalization program, which subsidizes rural power costs. That endowment now is worth more than $1 billion.

Other successes also were related to energy.

"We passed legislation to set up a weatherization program, and we've weatherized over $600 million worth of homes," he said.

Asked what has changed in the Capitol during his 40 years, he said the power of rural legislators is now taken for granted. Earlier in his career, it wasn't.

For the past 10 years, rural legislators have played a kingmaking role in the closely divided state House and Senate, frequently determining whether a Republican-led coalition or a Democratic-led coalition controls each body.

"There were times when rural Alaska wasn't at the table, and I think that's the biggest change," Hoffman said.

When asked what advice he would give a new legislator, he said that it's important to know that "the relationships you make directly affect your influence," so it's important to make friends.

During his time in office, the state's population has grown, as has the influence of Alaska Native corporations, including Native health corporations.

"I'm chairman of the Bethel Native Corp. and have been for around 30 years. Our wealth has multiplied by 20-fold. You know, I think that in the state ... Native corporations have changed the state of Alaska for the better," he said.

As he prepares to leave office, Hoffman said he thinks the state's biggest unresolved issue is the affordability of living in Alaska, particularly with regard to the cost of energy.

"That's why I spent so much time on it," he said of energy issues.

"If we can crack the energy equation in the next two decades, I think that's going to change the face of Alaska."