State Sen. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) has announced he will not seek reelection this fall.
State Sen. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) has announced he will not seek reelection this fall.
In a statement released Monday, Hwang, 61, said after serving five terms in the Senate and nearly 18 years in the General Assembly he has decided “the time has come to step away from state elected office and begin the next chapter of my life.”
A chief deputy Republican leader, Hwang currently is a ranking member of the Aging, Transportation, and Insurance and Real Estate committees. He also serves on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and the Planning and Development Committee.
He is the first Asian-Pacific American state senator in Connecticut history. He was first elected in the 134th House District in 2008 and was reelected twice. He was first elected to the Senate in 2014.
His retirement announcement follows his failed attempt to unseat Fairfield’s Democratic First Selectwoman Christine Vitale in a special election in February. In that election, he lost by a 56% to 44% margin.
In his statement, Hwang said he hopes to help address “the current climate of division by working with nonprofit partners and academic institutions to encourage renewed civic engagement and leadership.”
He adds that he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and adult children, and will return to “my real estate profession while seeking opportunities to teach and mentor young leaders about constructive participation in government, politics and civic life.”
Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield), issued a statement Tuesday saying Hwang has lived “the American Dream.”
“His dedication to the people of his district is second to none, as is his work ethic,” Harding said, adding that Hwang's “public service has had a positive impact on so many lives.”
