Representative Elizabeth Esty (D-CT, 5th) announced Monday that she will retire from the United States House of Representatives at the end of this year.
Media reports revealed that she kept her former chief of staff, Tony Baker, on the payroll for three months in 2016 after former staffer Anna Kain had accused him of harassment and threatening behavior. Esty had called for an expedited Ethics Committee review earlier on Monday, and several of her colleagues called for her resignation.
Esty represents Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District, comprised of areas in northwestern and central Connecticut. She was first elected in 2012.
Replacements for the representative still have plenty of time to launch campaigns: the filing deadline is June 8th and the primaries are August 14th.