Esty Announces She Will Not Run For Another Term

DANBURY, CT -- Fifth Connecticut congressional district representative under fire Elizabeth Esty announced on Twitter this afternoon that she will not seek re-election. The statement was released only hours after an earlier announcement that she had requested a congressional review of the charges she had mishandled allegations of abuse made by a former staffer, Anna Kain.

Esty's tweet read:

"From being a room parent in a first grade classroom to serving on the library board, town council, state and U.S. Congress, I went into public service to fight for equality, justice, and fairness. It is one of the greatest honors of my life that the people of Connecticut's Fifth District elected me to represent them in Congress. However, I have determined that it is in the best interest of my constituents and my family to end my time in Congress at the end of this year and not seek re-election."

UPDATE: Connecticut Democrat and gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont has released the following statement:

“We have a solemn obligation to protect anyone from harassment and abuse. It’s a responsibility, as an employer, that I take very seriously.

“The congresswoman's failure to protect Anna Kain after she came forward is indefensible. The accused staffer should have been suspended and removed from the workplace immediately, and fired as soon as the facts became clear. Congresswoman Esty has made the right decision not to seek re-election.

“I stand with Anna and all survivors of domestic violence, assault and harassment. Harassment should not be commonplace. The #MeToo movement has reaffirmed that we all have a responsibility to support women who are fighting for change. As governor I will continue to strongly advocate for legislation that will protect workers from harassment. And I will work with the business community to see that they adopt domestic violence intervention plans. Connecticut should lead the nation on preventing and ending domestic violence and workplace harassment.”