HARTFORD, Conn. — State Senator Alex Kasser on Tuesday announced her resignation from the Connecticut State Senate in a post on Medium.com.
Kasser, a Democrat elected in Greenwich, said serving has been a 'profound honor and a great joy.'
She credited personal circumstances, a divorce specifically, as the reason she chose to resign.
Sen. Kasser wrote: "For nearly three years, I’ve been trying to divorce Seth Bergstein. As all survivors of domestic abuse know, emancipating ourselves is an epic struggle that takes years, requires unflinching courage and all our resources — mental, physical, and financial."
She continued that she does not believe she can continue to serve her constituents to her fullest ability due to the enormous time and energy the divorce process consumes.
Kasser also noted that she plans to move from Greenwich after raising her children in the town for 20 years.
"It is too painful to be in Greenwich now that I’ve been erased from their lives, just as their father promised would happen if I ever left him," she wrote.
Seth Bergstein's lawyer, Janet A. Battey, release a statement on his behalf saying:
“Mr. Bergstein’s priority is the wellbeing of his three children -- all of whom have chosen to reside with him -- and he is not going to disparage their mother in a public forum or engage in a detailed response to her fabricated narrative. Any suggestion of abuse is simply untrue. Throughout the marriage, Ms. Kasser has described Seth as a devoted father and patient and loving husband. Mr. Bergstein has sought to keep this matter private for the sake of the children, but Ms. Kasser continues to make blatantly false public statements in furtherance of her own agenda. Mr. Bergstein trusts the legal system and family court and that the upcoming trial will reveal Ms. Kasser’s narrative for what it is.”
Kasser said her partner Nichola Samponaro, also from Greenwich, gave her the strength to endure this personal battle and fulfill her responsibility to the public.
The state senator was an advocate for controversial legislation on tolls, as well as the Parentage Act and Jennifer's’ Law. She expressed her pride in introducing those bills and getting them passed.
RELATED: The Real Story | 'Jennifers' Law'
"I am particularly proud of introducing and passing legislation including the Parentage Act and Jennifers’ Law so that no one is shamed for who they are or trapped in an abusive situation, as I was," Kasser wrote. "Going forward, I will continue to fight against bullying and bigotry in all its forms. Now that I’ve found my voice, I will never stop using it."
To read her full statement, click here.
--
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.