Citing family concerns, seven-term Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.) has announced his retirement.

“I have concluded that these election-year forces are no match for the persuasive and powerful attraction of our three one-year old boys under the leadership of their three-year old brother, and I have decided not to run for re-election,— Snyder wrote.

Snyder had been facing declining polling numbers and a well-funded challenger in former U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin (R). Snyder said Friday that his doubts about seeking another term had mounted in recent weeks.

“Two weeks ago my campaign manager came on board, but that first morning I advised him to do nothing to begin the campaign because of my doubts regarding running,— he said. “The onset of the new year, the time I always begin organizing my campaigns, did nothing to remove these doubts.—

Snyder’s decision automatically turns his Little Rock-based district into a key Republican pickup opportunity.