State Sens. Mike Ranzenhofer from western New York and Sen. Betty Little in the Capital Region this week became the latest Republican lawmakers to announce retirement plans for 2020.

In doing so, they added to the growing exodus of Republicans from the chamber: Sen. George Amedore will not seek re-election to a district drawn with him in mind in 2012, Sen. Bob Antonacci is leaving for a central New York judgeship at the end of the month ending a half-term tenure, Sen. Cathy Young resigned earlier this year after losing a leadership vote.

Two Republicans in the Senate, Chris Jacobs and Robert Ortt, are running for an open congressional seat in western New York.

The reasons why these lawmakers are departing are varied. Some represent districts Democrats have a shot at flipping; some are safe Republican seats.

But the bottom line: It’s not fun being in the minority in Albany. You can’t control the flow of legislation, you don’t get the choice office space, you have less money. Being in the political wilderness in the Capitol is not an inducement for sticking around.