Bountiful Rep. Sheryl Allen, who has been a voice for moderate Republicans and proponent of ethics reform and public education during 16 years in the House, said Thursday she will not seek re-election this year.

"I represent an area that is just loaded with talented ... people and I think it's time for someone else to have that opportunity," Allen said.

Allen had previously led the moderate Reagan Caucus of Republicans, and been an advocate for tougher ethics legislation.

In 2008, she was at the center of an ethics complaint filed against Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, as part of a group that prepared a list of alleged ethical violations.

Allen said that episode took turns that were "beyond any single person's control." She did not sign the complaint against Hughes, and the charges against him were dismissed, although some were on a party-line vote.

"There have been days I certainly did regret it, but by and large it was a very, very difficult time," she said.

But she said it did lead to some of the ethics reforms that the Legislature has passed this session.

Allen said there is no question the Legislature has become more conservative this year, but it may be a swing in the pendulum.

"I've seen many cycles in politics and there's no question that throughout the country there is a trend toward conservatism," she said. "History tells me there will be another swing."