State Sen. Tony Hwang announced Monday that he will not seek reelection and will retire when his term ends in January after nearly 18 years in the General Assembly.
Hwang, a Republican, represents the 28th District, which includes Fairfield, Bethel, Easton and Newtown. On Feb. 3, Hwang lost a special election for Fairfield first selectperson to Democratic incumbent Christine Vitale.
Hwang said he hopes to teach and promote what he described as a collaborative approach to governance.
“I would love to be able to teach my brand of collaborative politics,” he said. “Solution-driven government is something we need to teach more of.”
He said he is also interested in pursuing work in public communications and returning to a career in real estate, where he said he developed an understanding of local economic conditions.
“That assisted me in understanding the real climate out there instead of being in an ivory tower,” he said. “Real estate is the canary in the coal mine, giving indications of economics and impact and revaluation. Post-COVID created a dynamic marketplace.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Hwang said he prioritized civility in an era of political polarization.
“Our democracy depends on the ability to disagree without demeaning one another, and I remain proud that my service reflected that belief,” he said. “As a proud Connecticut Republican, I believe deeply in fiscal accountability paired with social responsibility.”
Hwang said he also looks forward to spending more time with his wife, who he said is “thrilled” with his decision, though he described the transition as “bittersweet.”
