Rep. David Scribner has resigned from the state House of Representatives to become a state liquor control commissioner.
Scribner, a Republican, has represented Bethel, Brookfield and Danbury for the last 16 years. He has been the ranking Republican on the legislature’s Transportation Committee since 2003.
Scribner was appointed to the liquor commission Tuesday by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
State law bars him from remaining in the legislature and working for a state agency. The part-time position, in the Department of Consumer Protection, pays $62,000 a year. He will be one of two liquor commissioners.
“I had mixed feelings,” he said about being approached by the governor’s office for the job. “I don’t think it is so much a surprise that I would look for other ways to serve out state.”
Scribner would have been the longest-serving leader on the legislature’s Transportation Committee in a year when Gov. Malloy promises to focus on transportation.
“I do have an in-depth knowledge of the transportation issues facing the state,” he said during an interview, adding that he would offer his expertise to those interested.
Scribner won re-election this past fall but was not sworn in Wednesday. The date for a special election will be announced by Jan. 17, and the election will be held within 46 days.
Scribner won a special election in 1999, succeeding Republican B. Scott Santa-Maria, who died. Scribner is the elected town treasurer of Brookfield.
His constituents include former Gov. M. Jodi Rell.