Longtime Wallingford State Representative Won’t Seek Re-Election

WALLINGFORD, CT — State Rep. Mary Mushinsky (D-Wallingford) announced Thursday that she will not seek re-election to a 24th term in this November’s election.

"I've learned that juggling the legislature, a job, and a family is easier for younger legislators," Mushinsky said in a statement. "Now, after 46 years, three chairmanships, and several leadership roles, balancing these three responsibilities is much more difficult. I will finish this term and not seek re-election."

During her time at the state legislature, she has served as chair of the Select Committee on Children (before it became a standing committee) for 10 years, the Environment Committee for six years, the legislature's bipartisan Program Review and Investigations Committee, and several leadership positions, including her current position as Assistant Deputy Speaker Pro-Tempore.

"After nearly five decades of proudly serving the 85thDistrict, Representative Mushinsky truly encompasses the best of us at the General Assembly," House Speaker Matt Ritter said. "Mary has brought such a wealth of institutional knowledge to this Chamber over the years. We'll miss her terribly, but we wish her the best in her retirement years."

Read more from the news release below:

Mushinsky served as a member of the Commission on Enhancing Agency Outcomes and the Results-Based Accountability Working Group and currently serves on the Manufacturing Caucus and the Tax Equity Caucus. She also co-chaired the Riparian Areas Working Group in 2025-26, which produced recommendations for model legislation to protect river corridors. She is a longtime member of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), which shares best practices among 50 states and territories, and chaired its Natural Resources Committee. She's been honored with numerous awards, including the National Sierra Club lifetime award and, most recently, the AARP award for “Affordable Utilities Champion.”

A member of the Connecticut General Assembly for 46 years, Mushinsky ran for the 85th House District seat in 1980 on a platform of environmental activism, consumer advocacy, and improved energy policies. During her tenure, she passed the first two climate change laws in the U.S., which set changes to state vehicles, land uses, and emission tracking to reduce greenhouse gases; mandatory recycling; policies to reduce bullying in schools; adolescent pregnancy prevention; and advocacy for the earned income tax credit to help raise children out of poverty. At Program Review and Investigations (PRI), she directed bipartisan reports on stabilizing the state parks, job retraining for older workers, and the use of paraprofessionals in schools, among many others. The PRI job training report led to Platform to Employment, a statewide job training program with a 94% placement rate.

“Today was a bittersweet day for our institution with Rep. Mushinsky’s announcement that she will be retiring after this year,” Majority Leader Jason Rojas said. “She is an institution in and of herself, and her contributions to her district, her community, and the state will have lasting positive impacts on everyone who cares about Connecticut, who cares about the environment, and who cares about government as a force for good. I will always appreciate her wisdom, institutional memory, and commitment to the people of the state of Connecticut.”

Photo courtesy of CT House Dems

"Mary Mushinsky is not only a magnificent friend of mine, but a friend of all Connecticut residents who care about the environment,” said Rep. Bob Godfrey (D-Danbury), who has been a long-time member of the CGA along with Mushinsky. “Mary has been a great role model for all, and she will be missed terribly.”

In Wallingford, she initiated and serves as co-chair of the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail Advisory Committee, which works with local, state, and federal officials and the community to build and expand the pedestrian/bicycle trail. She also served on the Wallingford Energy Conservation Commission and is a board member and legislative liaison for the Coalition for a Better Wallingford, which seeks to reduce drug and alcohol abuse.

Mushinsky is also an active participant in Wallingford Works for Housing, a non-partisan coalition dedicated to meeting Wallingford’s need for housing for all income groups.

She lives in Wallingford with her husband, Martin, and has two adult sons, Martin and Edward.