He’s an example other politicians should use on how to conduct themselves,” Nickerson said. Nickerson pointed to Formica as a “great example of a gentleman” in his personal and political life. “Take it from a guy who left while on top, who said ‘this has been an incredible opportunity and I’ve done everything I could and I need to put my family first and myself first,’” he said. Nickerson was tapped as Formica’s replacement in 2015 and went on to run successfully for the seat three times before making his own announcement that he was not going to run again prior to the 2021 municipal election. Thank you for the honor of serving the communities I hold so dear."įormer East Lyme First Selectman Mark Nickerson described himself as elated that Formica “has chosen to put himself and his family first.” I believed it 31 years ago and I believe it even more today. "There is a bright future ahead for this state and this district. "I look forward to spending more time with my family, my businesses, perhaps some new hobbies, and to begin a new season with my special love," he added in the news release. "The most rewarding aspect of my elected service has been the honor and pleasure of meeting and serving so many wonderful and passionate people from around the 20th District and across our great state," he added.įormica said he was "particularly grateful to my business family, the incredible team on my town and state staffs and especially my family." In the release, he noted that it's been an honor to work with other legislators and to lead "the Senate Republican team." As state senator, he named achievements that include being "a leader in the fight to secure the next decade of Connecticut's carbon-free baseload supply of energy at Millstone Station," and helping to develop in 2017 "a true bipartisan budget" as co-chair of the appropriations committee. He cited several accomplishments, from helping to revitalize Niantic's Main Street and preserving open space as first selectman in East Lyme. He called his 31 years of public service "one of the greatest honors" of his life but said he feels "it's time for me to retire and move into the next season." I have decided to embrace this new season and therefore I will not be seeking reelection to the State Senate in November of 2022." "It has been a thought-provoking process because I have been deeply blessed, grateful and proud of the season I am currently in. "In recent months I have been sensing a pull toward a new season," he wrote. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, who won reelection.įormica detailed his decision to retire in a news release Tuesday. He also ran for Congress in 2012, when he challenged incumbent U.S. He went on to serve as chairman of the Republican Town Committee, a member of the Board of Finance and as first selectman for more than seven years before being elected state senator. The district encompasses Bozrah, East Lyme, part of Montville, New London, Old Lyme, part of Old Saybrook, Salem and Waterford.įormica began his career as an elected official on the East Lyme Zoning Commission in 1991, when exasperation over a new zoning regulation led him to get involved in politics. "I'm excited for whatever the next chapter brings," he said.įormica is a widower and has four adult children, three daughters and one son, according to his state Senate biography. The longtime East Lyme first selectman and Flanders Fish Market restaurateur was elected in 2014 to his first term as state senator, becoming the first Republican elected to serve the 20th District since 1990. "But 31 years is a great run and I couldn't be more thankful and proud of what I've been able to do."įormica, 68, said he is looking forward to finishing out his term with a "strong, successful session." Beyond that, he singled out the birth of his first grandchild this month as a sign of what his future looks like. "I loved my time in East Lyme it was one of the highlights of my life, as was the Senate," he said. "It's been one of the great honors of my life to be able to serve the town of East Lyme and the great 20th District for all those years," the Senate Republican leader pro tempore told The Day on Tuesday.įormica said he does not have plans to run for another elected office or get back into local politics. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection to the state Senate and will retire from public service after a 31-year run that took him from East Lyme Town Hall to Hartford. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints 25, 2022, that he will not seek reelection. 5, 2020, during the opening of the Connecticut General Assembly session for 2020 at the State Capitol building in Hartford. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford, and Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, while they speak in the Senate chambers Feb. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, center, is flanked by Sens.
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