Topeka Democrat resigning from Kansas House at month’s end

? A Democratic lawmaker from Topeka says he will step down from the Kansas House at the end of October to spend more time with his family.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Rep. Harold Lane said Monday that his resignation is effective Oct. 31.

Lane said he already had planned not to seek another two-year term next year and wants to spend more time with his grandchildren. Fellow Democrats in his 58th District in east Topeka will pick a replacement.

Democrats selected Lane to fill a vacancy in the seat in August 2003, and he won his first full term in 2004. He also is a former Topeka City Council member.

Lane is the ranking minority party member on the Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.