State Sen. Ruth Ward will retire this year, capping 10 years in office.
The Republican from Stoddard was pivotal in education policy, overseeing and advocating for more school choice legislation like education freedom accounts.
Ward addressed the Senate on Thursday, the last day of the legislative session, and said the decision was a difficult one.
“The Senate has become my second family, and I will miss all of you, whether or not we agree on issues before us,” Ward said. “I have learned from all of you. It is a bittersweet decision.”
Ward represents 20 towns in the central and western part of the state, including Antrim, Bennington, Dunbarton, Francestown and Weare.
Senate President Sharon Carson, a Republican from Londonderry, said she was sad to see Ward go.
“It has been a true honor to work with Senator Ward,” Carson said. “She is probably one of the kindest, most gracious people I have ever met in my life. She is, again, so intelligent, so hardworking, and she has been an integral part of our caucus for almost 10 years.”
Ward’s retirement creates a vacant seat in the Senate. The filing period to declare candidacy for statewide office is open through June 12.
