Former Republican state Senator Nick Spano has decided this is not the year for him to try to take his seat back.

The Yonkers resident and lobbyist says it is a lifestyle choice. Spano says he doesn't want to return to the all-consuming grind of Albany, where he served for 28 years. In 2006, Spano lost his seat to Andrea Stewart-Cousins after a recount. In 2004, Spano was able to hold on to his Senate seat by only 18 votes in the longest recount in state history.

On Thursday, Stewart-Cousins issued a simple statement, "I wish Nick much continued success." There is a perfect political storm favoring Democrats like Stewart-Cousins this year. Spano has done some polling and is well aware presidential hopeful John McCain won't win in New York. Westchester's own Sen. Hillary Clinton is hoping she can still be the Democratic nominee, drawing her supporters to the polls, or it could be Sen. Barack Obama, who has energized minority and younger voters. Democrats also far outnumber Republicans in the district, which includes Yonkers, Mount Pleasant and Greenburgh. Democrats are targeting the state Senate because Republicans currently hold a slim two-seat majority.

Spano isn?t ruling out a run for political office in the future.To view an interview with Nick Spano, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and click on iO Extra.