State Treasurer Shawn Wooden announced Thursday he will not seek a second term, leaving the office open to contest in elections later this year.
In a statement, Wooden said he’s stepping back in order to spend more time with his family, including his two sons.
“As every public servant knows, service often comes with a price,” he said. “As a father, I’ve sacrificed countless hours, missing everything from basketball games and track meets to family dinners… . Like other working families, mine too faces the day-to-day pressures of family life. Things like juggling financial resources to pay for college or making the time needed to teach children life’s most important lessons aren’t always easy in public life. As the proud father of two young Black boys, I know that, today, the best thing I can do is put my own ambitions aside and put them first.”
Wooden, a Democrat, bested Republican candidate Thad Gray in the treasurer’s race in 2018. Both were vying to replace 20-year office-holder Denise Nappier.
Wooden was previously a partner at law firm Day Pitney, where he specialized in pension fund investment practice, and served on the Hartford City Council.
It was not immediately clear Thursday if he plans to seek new employment in the legal field once his term ends.
In his statement, Wooden said he would like to return to public service again in the future, but did not say what form that might take.
