Juan R. Candelaria

While the Connecticut legislature has been busy at work passing bills that will help our state, I wanted to take a moment to share something more personal.

Last week, Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney announced he would not run for reelection. Sen. Looney has served in the Connecticut legislature for a record-breaking 46 years, starting in the House in 1980, and the Senate in 1992.

As a fellow representative from our great city of New Haven, Sen. Looney and I have developed a deep friendship and working relationship since my election to the House in 2002. He has shown me what it means to truly represent those that elected you, and how you must always put the people of Connecticut before your own personal ambition in the legislature.

So as Sen. Looney concludes his historic career in the Connecticut legislature, I want to thank him for his many years of service to the people of our state and city, and for his guidance, advice, mentorship, and friendship.