DOVER, Del. (AP) — Delaware's Democratic House Speaker says he is retiring after 40 years in state politics.
Speaker Robert Gilligan of Wilmington, first elected to the state House in 1972, announced Saturday night on the final day of this year's legislative session that he would withdraw his name as a candidate for re-election.
The 70-year-old Gilligan said he was tired of the political grind and wanted to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren.
Gilligan has served in many majority and minority leadership posts and rose to the position of House Speaker after Democrats took control of the House in 2008.
Gov. Jack Markell made a rare appearance on the House floor after Gilligan announced his retirement to thank him for his long service to the state.
