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Roldan Won't Seek Re-election

By JENNA CARLESSO

June 08, 2012

HARTFORD —— State Rep. Kelvin Roldan, a Democrat representing Hartford's 4th Assembly District, announced Friday he would not seek re-election.

Roldan, who is finishing his third term, did not receive his party's endorsement at its nominating convention two weeks ago. He said at the time that he would petition to get on the primary ballot.

Democrats instead endorsed Angel Arce, a community activist and member of the city's Democratic town committee. Arce and other members of the town committee's 4th District have said Roldan is out-of-touch with his constituents, and that the district needs a change in leadership.

Roldan, the youngest Latino to be elected to the state House of Representatives, said Friday that he is proud of his service.

"I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve the people of the city of Hartford and the state of Connecticut," Roldan, 33, said in a prepared statement. "I worked to make a difference for the people of my district over my term. However, I have decided that it is time to move on to new pursuits. This decision comes after an extraordinary amount of reflection."

He added that he wanted to spend more time with family and friends, and "devote more time to leading education reform." Roldan works as executive director of institutional advancement for the Hartford Public Schools.

He could not be reached for further comment Friday.

"I was proud to have Kelvin as a part of my team," House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey said in a statement. "There is no one in the general assembly whose intelligence, capability and integrity exceed[s] [that] of Kelvin Roldan."

Arce said Friday that he is eager to continue campaigning.

"I wish him well and thank him for his service," he said of Roldan, adding: "I believe in somebody new coming in with new ideas and bringing our community back up. Our district needs a lot of help."

Arce will face Republican Rico Dence in the election.