In a stunning announcement that caught many legislators by surprise, House Speaker James Amann announced today that he is not running for another term as speaker and is retiring from the state legislature.
Amann told only a handful of aides at about 11:15 a.m., and some of those in the House chamber were unaware of the upcoming announcement when Amann gaveled the chamber to silence.
Amann, a Milford Democrat, noted that legislators would have various announcements at the start of the day before adding, "I also have an announcement myself.''
He then spoke about the long tradition of two-term speakers, meaning that they have generally served only four years in the highly powerful position. That tradition has been broken in the recent past as Speakers Thomas Ritter and Moira Lyons both served six years each. Many assumed that Amann, too, would serve for six years, until 2010.
http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-amann0423,0,690044.storyHmmmm, I hope that means he's not running for Governor.
Any ideas on who will succeed him?