Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire says she won't seek re-election at the end of a second term that forced her to make arduous budget cuts in areas she once sought to expand.

At a news conference surrounded by family and friends, the Democrat said she intends to focus her final year and a half on the economy.

She gave her cabinet energy drinks Monday morning as a symbol that there's still lots of work left to be done. Gregoire said she has no plans after leaving office except to spend more time with her family. She said she will do everything she can to support the re-election of President Barack Obama.

Gregoire's announcement means Washington voters will face a fresh selection of candidates in 2012 after seeing two consecutive elections in which Gregoire and Republican Dino Rossi faced off.