State Senator Eileen M. Daily (D-Westbrook) announced on Tuesday that she plans to retire from the General Assembly upon completion of her current term. Daily has represented the towns of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook for nearly 20 years.
“As I review my 20-year tenure and consider the future I’ve settled on this plan with complete confidence … it’s time for another voice to speak for this district,” Daily said in a press release.
Daily made the decision based on health concerns and wanting to spend more time with her family. She has been diagnosed with cancer, gone through chemotherapy and is currently recuperating from a broken ankle.
“In the past year,” Daily said, “holding office has become more physically demanding for me and it would be difficult to initiate a re-election campaign.”
Daily said she is “blessed with a loving husband and family” and is looking forward, with her husband, to spending more time with their children and grandchildren.
“Connecticut’s 33rd Senatorial District is home to some of the most beautiful natural treasures our state has to share and its voters have repeatedly given me the distinction and decidedly good fortune to advocate for this area all this time,” Daily said.
According the a press release, Daily identified the completion of several short and long-term projects:
- Sediment detention and ice control in a federal/state Salmon River Flood Control Project.
- Inclusion of the beautiful Eight Mile River Watershed within the national Wild and Scenic River program.
- A comprehensive, federal/state dredging project for the Westbrook harbor, announced earlier this spring, to begin next fall.
- Acquisition of property in Haddam for new athletic and recreational fields.
- Grants to 33rd District towns through STEAP for infrastructure improvement.
Daily has been criticized in the region for her involvement and support of the controversial .
Senator Daily is a former First Selectman of Westbrook and prior to that served on its Board of Education.
Senator Daily said her office remains open and available, as always, to help municipal government officials and constituents.
