Senator Nickerson released today the following letter to his constituents.

Dear Constituents:

This is my twenty-second year as a member of the Connecticut General Assembly. It has been a great honor to have served you during my four years in the House and eighteen years in the Senate. 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!

There is a time to run for office, a time to serve in office and a time to move on. I have decided that that time has come for me. I will not stand for reelection this year and will retire from the legislature when my term of office expires in January 2009. I am announcing my decision now so as to allow ample time for my successor to be chosen.

To my constituents, I am immensely grateful to you for giving me the privilege of representing you. You have allowed me the opportunity to help make the district and this state a better place. I hope that in some way I have done that and that I have been equal to the trust you have placed in me.

To my friends and supporters throughout Greenwich, Stamford and New Canaan, I express my unbounded gratitude for all your invaluable support over these many years. My political journey would not have lasted one day without the unstinting support so many of you have given me in time, resources and counsel.

To Governor Rell and all my friends at the legislature on both sides of the aisle, I thank you for your friendship, for all you have taught me and for the opportunity to serve with so many fine people.

There are no words to express my endless appreciation to my wife Jane for her encouragement, wise counsel and endless patience with my hectic schedule – so many missed dinners at home, so little complaint from her.

I look forward enthusiastically to the 2008 legislative session and will strive to serve you to the best of my abilities throughout this year.