State Rep. LIle Gibbons Won't Seek Re-Election

Veteran Greenwich State Rep. Lile Gibbons, R-150, announced Wednesday night that she would not seek re-election to a seventh term.

Gibbons' announcement during a meeting of the Republican Town Committee at Greenwich Town Hall, confirms weeks of speculation and rumor that she would retire from the seat which represents the town's coastline.

Even though she is retiring, Gibbons said she that  until the start of the 2013 legislative session she "is still on the job." She received a long standing ovation from GOP stalwarts.

Among those rumored to be interested in running for the legislative seat is former Board of Estimate and Taxation chair Steve Walko.

Also attending last night's confab was former 4th District Congressman Chris Shays who is battling former World Wrestling Federation CEO and Greenwich resident Linda McMahon, and Fairfield lawyer Peter Lumaj, for the party's U.S. Senate nomination.

Shays told the committee that he was "looking to use my experience" to become the state's Republican senator, replacing retiring Independent Joe Lieberman. '

"Why am I running: I want my country back. ... We need to get our country's financial house in order," Shays said. "I am going to balance the budget and I don't care who I offend."

Shays added, "Our polls tell us experience trumps money," in reference to McMahon's seemingly unlimited financial resources.

Gibbons, whose assignments include the legislature's revenue committee, has been a strong proponent of Project Renew, the proposed rebuilding project of The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home. She also is the assistant leader of the minority caucus.

Gibbons is the only member of the town's legislative delegation not to seek reelection. State Representatives Libby Floren, R-149, and Fred Camillo, R-151, and state Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-36, all have indicated they will seek reelection.