YORK, Maine -- State Rep. Dawn Hill of York has dropped out of a crowded race for governor in 2010, and instead is expected to run for state Senate from District 1.

Meanwhile, Peter Bowman, the person who currently holds District 1 seat, has announced he is not running for reelection next November. Hill is in her second term as state representative of District 149, which includes parts of Kittery, York and Wells and all of Ogunquit. She was one of the first candidates to enter the 2010 gubernatorial race in June, saying at the time that she is "an independent thinker and I see what needs to be done."

She said in a statement that, since then, the field has become crowded with candidates. At least 21 contestants have registered to replace Democrat Gov. John Baldacci, as he completes his second, four-year term.

Among them are Democrats such as former Attorney General Steve Rowe and the current Senate President, Elizabeth Mitchell. Hill admitted at the time she announced her run that funding was going to be a hurdle, but felt at the time that the campaign was up for the challenge.

Hill was unavailable for comment on Friday, but did indicate in her statement that she was planning to announce her bid for state senate in January.

Bowman bows out

Bowman, in his second term as state senator from District 1 (Eliot, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick and York), said he is not seeking reelection.

"It's been one of the highlights of my life, but it's an all-consuming job and to do it the way I want to do it takes a lot out of you," he said. "I've always studied for an A, so that's made things harder. I find this job takes over my life, and although I believe I've been efficient and effective, I find myself struggling to keep up."

Bowman, 72, is retired from the U.S. Navy and served as commander of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Afterward, he worked in the private sector. "Everything I did prior to being in the legislature prepared for for work in the Senate."

Bowman was tapped immediately during his first term in office to be Senate chair of the Education Committee, just as Gov. John Baldacci was filing his school consolidation bill. While he said he was accustomed to pressure, that experience was daunting.

In fact, he said the low point in his legislative career occurred when the Appropriations Committee abruptly took the bill away from the education committee with little fanfare. "They didn't even pat us on the back or thank us," he said.

In this current two-year session, which continues through this year, he has been chair of the Insurance and Financial Services Committee.

He said the job has been "remarkable," and counts as a high point the work he did in his district and with state leaders in support of the gay marriage law that was repealed in November.

But he was at the deathbed of his twin sister, who passed away just three weeks ago, and that made him consider priorities.

"I've shortchanged my family ever since I've had a family because the military demands so much of you," he said. "It's enjoyment time now."