ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican Rep. John Kline, a seven-term lawmaker and chairman of the House Education panel, says he won't seek re-election next year.

Kline has represented southeastern Minnesota's 2nd District since 2002. The 67-year-old former Marine carved out a niche in Congress on military issues and, more recently, on education issues as the head of the committee.

Kline would have lost that gavel after this term as part of a chairmanship term limit. Besides, he says, "it's just kind of time" to move on. He says it's premature to speculate about a campaign for another office in Minnesota, such as governor or Senate in 2018.

His departure leaves an open field in a district trending more competitive. Democratic President Barack Obama won the district in his 2012 campaign.