Veteran CT Political Reporter Mark Davis Retires

CONNECTICUT — Mark Davis, WTNH-TV's chief political correspondent, is retiring after more than 50 years as a television and radio journalist, News 8 announced Monday.

In March at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Davis announced that he was taking a leave of absence as a precaution because of his and wife Betsy's ages.

Returning to work proved too daunting because of social distancing and other coronavirus protocols, which led to his decision to retire, according to the station. Patch reached out to Davis for a comment on his retirement but did not immediately receive a reply.

"I would like to thank my co-workers past and present, and especially Photographer Joe Sferrazza for helping me look good (in many ways) over the past 36 years," Davis said in a statement released by WTNH. "Most of all I would like to thank the viewers for their continued support over the decades."

Davis spent 37 years at the New Haven-based station, joining WTNH in the 1980s following radio jobs in Massachusetts.

He was a fixture at the state Capitol during his tenure, and has won multiple Emmy Awards.

In 2004, Davis broke the huge story that then Gov. John Rowland was resigning.

In the 1980s, Davis hosted "Good Morning, Connecticut," the state's first Saturday morning news and information show, and pulled double duty by also hosting a radio show on WTIC-AM, "Dial Mark Davis."

Tributes and well-wishes began pouring in on Monday from colleagues and friends.

"Congratulations to a stalwart, veteran journalist with a distinguished career spanning more than 5 decades," wrote Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz on Twitter. "@markdavisWTNH, I wish you all the best in your retirement!"

Added Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, "Congratulations to Mark Davis on his retirement. Mark has always been very kind to me and generous with his time. He never pulled his punches and I expected tough questions from him. As a thoughtful and thorough journalist, Mark always gave me the time and space to discuss and explain my approach to often complex legal and public policy issues. Plus, he’s usually good for a funny quip or sarcastic aside, which always put me at ease, especially in a tense or difficult moment. Mark was also an invaluable resource, having seen it all in Connecticut politics. I often asked him what he thought of a particular situation, and he would offer some meaningful insight or perspective. I want to thank Mark for his decades long service to our state and wish him all the best in his next chapter."