Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch is holding up his promise to his constituents a little early. Finch vowed to relinquish his state senate position when the State Supreme Court ruled on a challenge by State Rep. Chris Caruso of last September's mayoral primary. While the case is still pending, Finch ultimately gave his farewell speech to the Senate during special session on Tuesday.

"[I] made this decision so that we could go on with the business of government not only running the City of Bridgeport, but to have a new voice from the 22nd district," Finch explained. And those potential new voices are already lining up. The special election for the 22nd district seat of Bridgeport, Trumbull, and part of Monroe is expected to be held on March 11 or 18. State Rep. T.R. Rowe (R-Trumbull) has already made a statement that he is interested in running for the seat.

Potential Democratic candidates include State Rep. Jack Hennessy (Bridgeport), Hector Diaz, a former state representative from Bridgeport, Thomas Mulligan, a Bridgeport Council member and attorney, Anthony Musto, Trumbull's town treasurer, Stephen P. Wright, chairman of the Trumbull Board of Education, and Michelle Mount of Monroe, Bridgeport's legislative liaison to the General Assembly. Democrats need to hold onto this seat to maintain their veto-proof majority.

Before anyone could begin to size up the candidates and think about how a mid-session election may affect the game, Finch first made sure to get his last word on the Senate floor. Before officially bidding farewell, Finch urged his colleagues to work on two issues close to his heart. As former Chairman of the Environment Committee, and as mayor of a coastal city, he pressed the Senate to combat the threat of global warming. Also, Finch, who was adopted, asked that the legislature finally pass legislation allowing adoptive children to get their birth certificates at age 21.

It's only fitting that Senator Finch would do everything possible to make a difference at the Capitol down to the last moment. "[The Senate has] been part of my life. It's been giving me meaning," he said. The venue may have changed, but not to worry, the people of Bridgeport are ready to bring a whole new meaning to Mayor Finch's life!

The 2008 legislative session is less than two weeks away and things are already hoppin'! Below are a few current events that may surprise you.

Waterbury
Just when the State of Connecticut thought the conversations about former Governor John G. Rowland had died down, the great City of Waterbury has given him a new voice. Mayor Michael Jarjura recently made an offer to Gov. Rowland to return to where his career began in Waterbury as the new Economic Development Coordinator. Much discussion has ensued in the past two days since the announcement, but the most telling comments came from the Hartford Courant editorial board, who wrote, "Society owes former felons a second chance to prove that they have been rehabilitated. Mr. Rowland is no exception."

The plans call for the position to be funded by the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce with a contract with the city, so no direct public money will be involved. In addition, it's not the intent of the duties of the Economic Development Coordinator to include lobbying for state funds, but rather to work to recruit new business or expand current business in the City of Waterbury.

It's a creative approach to nip some of the undertones that the idea is dangerous. There's no doubt that the former governor loves his hometown and that his track record in rebuilding cities is unbeatable. Some may just have to get used to the idea and give the initiative a chance in the name of a better Waterbury.

Greenwich
A General Assembly veteran of 22 years, Senator Bill Nickerson (R) of Greenwich, has announced that he will be retiring after this session. "I have worked with four governors, cast 11,000 votes and driven about a quarter of a million miles on my commute to Hartford. I have enjoyed every minute of it - well, most minutes anyway!" Nickerson said. That much travel would earn anyone a retirement!

Nickerson joined that Senate after being caught in a three-way race in 1990 when he first ran for office. His challengers were a relatively unknown Democrat by the name of Ned Lamont and incumbent Sen. Emil "Bennie" Benvenuto. Benvenuto ran as an independent after the Greenwich Republicans refused to back him because he had endorsed Lowell Weicker for Governor!

"I am announcing my decision now so as to allow ample time for my successor to be chosen," Nickerson explained. The 36th district seat that Senator Nickerson holds covers Greenwich, New Canaan, and Stamford. It has been a Republican seat for over 70 years and the Republicans are expected to retain control come November.

In the House, the Republican Leader-at-Large Rep. Claudia "Dolly" Powers has announced that she will not seek re-election this year. Powers represents the 151st district of Greenwich. Rep. Powers was first elected to the State House of Representatives in 1992 and has cited family reasons for her departure. She wants to spend more time with her 16-month-old grandson, who lives with her. Unlike Sen. Nickerson's seat, Rep. Powers' seat is not a Republican stronghold. Rep. Powers faced a tough re-election battle in 2006 by narrowly defeating the Democratic challenger Ed Krumeich Jr. by a mere 132 votes.

East Hartford
There is some encouraging news from the election front. Some thought Senator Gary LeBeau (D) would announce his retirement this year, but to the delight of many, Senator LeBeau announced his intentions to seek another term as the Senator from East Hartford, East Windsor, East Windsor, Ellington and South Windsor. LeBeau is Deputy Majority Leader in the Senate and Chair of the Commerce Committee. He is currently serving his 6th term in the 3rd senatorial district.

As the year moves along, so too will some of CT's veteran legislators. We will continue to keep you posted as any new announcements are made. But with any departure, so too comes a new freshman face to carry on the work of the state. This session may be short, but it's a long campaign season so bids for election in November start now!