Bill Monning seeks re-election to State Senate.

At first glance, the biggest news today from State Sen. Bill Monning, D-Carmel, is what he isn't doing in 2016.

He's not running for Congress, despite many calls of encouragement from long-time supporters; despite the fact that he wanted the job 22 years ago and came in second in a field of 26 (he lost to U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, who announced last month he will retire next year, leaving an open seat); and despite an impressive list of accomplishments during his two terms as an assemblyman and yet-to-be-completed first term as a state senator.

"I can do so much more where I am," Monning says, considering the political climates in Sacramento and Washington.

"We’re making history here. Despite the campaign promises we make, no freshman member of the U.S. Congress from the democratic party is going to have the ability to do much in the way of legislation."

Monning made his announcement Tuesday morning outside Colton Hall in Monterey, where many supporters—and some opponents—were expecting him to announce a bid for Congressional District 20.

That leaves Jimmy Panetta, a deputy district attorney and son of Leon Panetta, as the lone Democrat to announce his candidacy so far. Casey Lucius, a Pacific Grove City Councilwoman, is currently the only Republican in the race.

But on to what Monning is doing. He's the Senate majority leader, a powerful position no local official has held since Henry Mello of Watsonville.

He's got a proud list of victories that ranges from local—helping to extend the life of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority, plans to dismantle the San Clemente Dam, and funding for the veterans cemetery—to wider in scope, like co-authoring the original End-of-Life Option Act, which will allow assisted suicide for terminally ill patients in California. 

He's also seeking the support of about 1 million constituents when he runs for re-election in 2016—an even larger district geographically and population-wise than the congressional district, which includes about 750,000 people. 

"I’m really proud to be where I am, but I don’t take my re-election for granted," Monning says. 

So far, one Republican, Palmer Kain, has established a campaign committee to challenge Monning. (Kain lost his bid to unseat Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Scotts Valley, last election.)

Due to term limits, Monning can serve up to one more four-year term in the State Senate, then could seek another two-year term in the Assembly, though that would be an unlikely move.

As Farr and Leon Panetta before him showed, serving in Congress can be a long-term career.

As to what comes next, assuming he is re-elected to the Senate through 2020, Monning isn't saying anything yet.

"I’ll keep my eye on the horizon and see if there are other opportunities," he says. "I’m a politician, so you never say never."