Sen. Eileen Daily, D-Westbrook, the co-chairwoman of one of the legislature’s key money committees, made a surprise announcement today she will not seek re-election this fall.
Daily has been fighting cancer, but she had seemed to be set on another term. She passed up a chance to make her goodbyes from the Senate floor on the last day, as did her Democratic colleague, Sen. Edith Prague of Columbia.
“Replacement and renewal are integral to the revitalization of any institution,” Daily said. “In the past year holding office has become more physically demanding for me and it would be difficult to initiate a re-election campaign. I’ve been diagnosed with cancer, endured chemotherapy and associated treatment, and am presently recuperating from a broken ankle.”
As co-chairwoman of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Daily is one of the more influential committee chairs. Her illness was known at the Capitol, but friends had said they were convinced Daily would seek another term.
“During the last weeks of this session I was challenged to maintain the pace required at the Capitol. As I review my 20-year tenure and consider the future, I’ve settled on this plan with complete confidence that it’s time for another voice to speak for this district,” Daily said. “I am also literally blessed with a loving husband and family – Jim and I eagerly look forward to spending more time with our children and grandchildren.”