Sen. Paula Julander, D-Salt Lake City, announced Wednesday she's resigning her seat for medical reasons. She has asked that her husband, Rod Julander, be nominated by delegates in District 2 to take her place.

Julander, who represents the Avenues area of Salt Lake City as well as Capitol Hill and Central City to 33rd South, has been ill for some time and recently was hospitalized. In 2001, there was speculation she might retire from politics.

In a statement issued Wednesday by Senate Democrats, Julander was described as needing "to rest and recuperate. She feels strongly that her constituents need to be represented during this legislative session and has, therefore, decided to vacate her seat."

Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich said Julander's leaving "is a great loss to the Senate. Sen. Julander has served with distinction as a state senator for six years, and she will be greatly missed by her colleagues in the Legislature."

Once her replacement is named by delegates in her district, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will send the nomination to the Senate for confirmation.