Gov. James Douglas announced moments ago that he will not run for re-election.

The governor said that, with the recent birth of his first grandchild and given the decades he has spent in public life, it is time to “write a new chapter” in his life.

Douglas added that he will not step down as governor, but will complete the remaining 16 months of his term.

In addition to health care and environmental battles, Douglas said he was proud of his attempts to reduce government spending.

“Fiscal responsibility is at the core of the Vermont ethic,” he said. “I want to hold the line on taxes and spending.”

The governor, who seemed cheerful and upbeat, was also clearly aware of the risks that face a lame duck in office. He will not run in 2010 for any statewide office, or consider a run for president, Douglas said.

But “for the next 16 months I am running the state,” he said.

Douglas said his faith in the state has been renewed each time he crosses the Appalachian Gap on his way to work as he has since winning a seat in the Vermont House in 1973 and sees the panoramic view from the Connecticut River to Lake Champlain.