Home builder and politician Marv Hendrickson announced this week that he won't seek re-election, leaving his eastern county post up for grabs.

Yet the soft-spoken Republican - who ascribed his decision to a personal commitment to serve just two terms - revealed little about his future ambitions. He remarked simply that he doesn't plan to retire.

"Retirement isn't one of the words in my vocabulary," he said.

Democrats hope Hendrickson's departure will lead to an ideological shift on the County Council, where Republicans enjoy a narrow 5-to-4 majority. Snatching a single GOP seat in 2008 could put their party in power.

The odds look good, according to Salt Lake County Democratic Chairman Christian Burridge, with three of the council's four contested seats this year belonging to Republicans.

"These are the races to watch," he said. "You have a powerful body that affects people's lives that could switch Democratic."

Terms end for Republicans Mark Crockett, Michael Jensen and Hendrickson this year. Only one Democrat, Randy Horiuchi, faces an electoral fight.

But Republicans aren't worried. Salt Lake County GOP Chairman James Evans said his party not only will keep its five-member council majority, but also steal a sixth seat from Horiuchi.

As for Hendrickson's seat, possible Republican contenders remain unknown. But Democrats confirmed Friday that they will run Gary Ferguson, a medical-malpractice attorney with Siegfried & Jensen.

Hendrickson hinted that he may pursue a political career outside District 6, but would not reveal details.

"Anything is possible," he said.

jstettler@sltrib.com