Maynard Not Running For Senate Seat Again; Heather Somers Running

Democrat Andrew Maynard will not be seeking reelection of the 18th District State Senate seat, according to NBC Connecticut.

“It has been an honor to serve in the Senate on behalf of my neighbors and the people of the 18th District,” said Senator Maynard on his website. “I want to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes, and I am grateful to live in such a beautiful and supportive community. I have made the decision to not seek reelection. There is much work to do this legislative session, and I am committed to continuing to work to create jobs, grow the economy and balance our budget.”

Maynard has been in the news often recently, mainly due to injuries sustained over the past two years. In 2014, Maynard fell and suffered an injury to the head. He was involved in a Jan. 14 car accident on Route 32 in Waterford, initially thought to be a one-car accident.

As more details surfaced, Waterford police updated residents and said the accident involved two cars. The New London Day, in an interview with the husband of the driver involved in the accident, claimed that Maynard was swerving all over the road, and may have been traveling in the wrong lane at the time of the accident.

On Jan. 19, Waterford Police released information on the investigation and determined that Maynard was driving the wrong way at the time of the accident. In the 911 tape of the wrong-way crash of Maynard, the caller describesMaynard‘s car as going “over the divider into the oncoming traffic,” according to a report in The Day.

He was released from the hospital, said he doesn’t recall the crash, and suffered a severe concussion in the accident.

Waterford Police sent its investigation into the car accident to the New London State’s Attorney office on Feb. 12, for an independent review.

Somers Announces Candidacy

According to the Hartford Courant, Heather Somers will issue a formal announcement on her running for the 18th District Seat.

She wrote on Facebook:

“I am deeply concerned about the direction of our state. Massive tax increases, growing mandates, and perpetual budget crises have destroyed our business climate, and made life more difficult for hardworking Connecticut families. The mess created by insiders in Hartford now directly threatens our southeastern Connecticut community more than ever before.”

She was expected to make the announcement at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 — at the Meeting House in the Old Mistick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd., Mystic. Somers has served on the Groton Town Council and as Groton mayor in the past.

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(Photo Credit: Heather Somers via Facebook)