State Rep. Ted Speliotis has taken himself out of the running to succeed colleague Fred Berry in the Senate.

Speliotis said in a letter to supporters this week that he only plans to seek re-election to his seat in the House, representing the 13th Essex District. The race then is left to former state Rep. John Slattery, Governor’s Councilor Mary-Ellen Manning and Salem city councilor Joan Lovely thus far, although a few other possible candidates have not stated whether they will run or not yet.

Soon after Berry announced in November that he would be retiring after this year, Speliotis put himself among a roster of potential contenders for the seat, saying he was seriously considering it.

He told supporters this week that while the opportunity to represent a far larger constituent base and take on a greater role in the economic and political climate of the region was “something very special to consider,” his ultimate decision to not pursue that was “quite simple.”

“As one of the most senior members of the House of Representatives and the chairman of one of the most active committees in the legislature, I am in a unique position to assist my constituents and district,” Speliotis wrote.

Speliotis has nearly 24 years in the House (split over two periods) and now chairs the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. If he did ascend to the Senate, it would be as a junior member of the body.

He cited a few local issues he “cares deeply” about and desires to see through to completion, such as working with Peabody’s new Mayor Ted Bettencourt to replace the largest middle school in the state (the Higgins).

Speliotis also noted that he wants to keep working to add a new line item in the state budget to pay for homeless students’ school transportation in Danvers and elsewhere and see the new regional vocational school in Danvers to the end – four separate pieces of legislation led to the new merged school district. The school is a merger of the Essex Agricultural & Technical High School, North Shore Technical High School and Peabody’s vocational programs.

Speliotis currently represents most of West Peabody along with Danvers and now a precinct in Middleton (instead of Topsfield) due to recent legislative redistricting. The 2nd Essex District represents Peabody, Salem, Beverly, Danvers and Topsfield.

Speliotis said his decision was also made easier by the “warm and welcoming reception” he has received in Middleton.

“If re-elected I will miss representing the town of Topsfield, however, I greatly look forward to learning more about the people and neighborhoods added to our district,” he said.