Amaral

TIVERTON — Six-term state Rep. Joseph N. Amaral, a Republican who represents parts of Tiverton and Portsmouth, has announced that he will not seek reelection in November so he can spend more time with his young family.

Amaral, who was 28 and single when he was first elected in 1996, said he will miss the day-to-day connection with his constituents.

“It’s very difficult to give it up, but to give it up for family is the best thing to do,” said Amaral, principal of Portsmouth Middle School.

Serving as a legislator requires “a lot of listening” and a great deal of time, Amaral said, and “I can’t do that right now without sacrificing family.”

His son Nicholas, 8, and daughter Sarah, 7, have baseball games and afterschool activities that Amaral’s legislative duties prevent him from attending.

“It’s a privilege to be elected and to serve the people,” he said.

“It’s humbling. I’m really honored” by the fact that his constituents have kept sending him back to the General Assembly, Amaral said, particularly since his district is not known for electing Republicans.

Amaral prides himself on his ability to work with Democratic colleagues, particularly to win passage of a bill in 2006 that increases the level of state support for elderly homeowners on limited incomes who face rising property taxes.

He also has worked to help eliminate lead paint in homes and he has been visible in a bipartisan effort to give the state Department of Environmental Management more tools to enforce pollution laws.

Amaral has been a member of the National Council of State Legislatures, the American Legislative Exchange Council and the House Corporations Committee.

Amaral said he would continue to remain active within the community.

“I enjoy helping people,” he said. “If that’s your motive if you run for public office, you will always be in a better state,” Amaral said

gmacris@projo.com