Sen. Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) announced Saturday that he will not seek reelection to the Connecticut State Senate in 2026. He has represented the 11th State District since 1993 and served in the Connecticut General Assembly since 1981.

The 77-year-old lawmaker made the decision public during a Democratic caucus session. He said he felt it was the right moment to step down while still effective and respected.

During his time in leadership, Looney helped shape major policy initiatives, including increases to the minimum wage, expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the creation of paid family and medical leave. He also pushed for greater funding for cities and programs that support early childhood education.

In his original announcement, Looney emphasized gratitude for his decades in office and confidence in the next generation of leadership.

“As I reflect on my time in public service, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served the people of Connecticut,” Looney said in part of his announcement. “I believe this is the right time to step aside and allow for new leadership to continue the important work of the Senate.”

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement about Looney's announcement:

“I am grateful for the service of Marty Looney, who has been a steady, principled voice in the Connecticut General Assembly for working families and the kind of patient, serious legislating that produces lasting results.”

“Together, we fought to strengthen the Earned Income Tax Credit and raise the minimum wage, delivering real relief to Connecticut workers who needed it most. But I’ll remember our conversations as much as our accomplishments. Marty and I would sit down to work through policy and inevitably find ourselves deep in a discussion about American history. We shared a particular appreciation for Calvin Coolidge, or ‘Silent Cal’ – a man who understood that not every moment required a speech. We’d laugh that the Connecticut Senate could use a few more Silent Cals, but our state is lucky that Marty is anything but ‘silent.’”

“Over more than four decades, Marty made a lasting impact on Connecticut, and I am grateful to have had him as a partner and a friend in the Capitol.”

A celebration of Looney's work will be held in late May.