MONTPELIER — Vermont State Rep. Paul Poirier says he’s going to run for speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.

The Barre Democrat says he’s planning to announce his plans formally Wednesday during an event at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier.

Poirier was first elected to the Legislature in 1980. Over the years he has served 16 years. He will be starting his 9th term in January.

There’s no word on whether current speak Rep. Shap Smith of Morristown will seek re-election to the post he’s held since 2009.