Lou D'Allesandro, dean of the NH Senate, to retire after 50 years of public service

CONCORD − After more than a quarter century of service in the New Hampshire Senate, Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, D-Manchester, announced his plan to retire at the end of the 2024 session on Tuesday.

"It's been a journey, and there comes a time when a journey, where there's an end," D'Allesandro said to the large crowd gathered at the Legislative Office Building in Concord. "You can't stay beyond the time where you can make a difference. And I believe that my service in the Senate has made a difference to the lives of people."

D’Allesandro represents Senate District 20, which includes Manchester Wards 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, and 12. He was first elected to the Senate in 1998 and has served 12 consecutive terms. He also served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1973-1974 and 1997-1999, and was an Executive Councilor from 1974-1980. D'Allesandro will retire after this term.

D'Allesandro said it was the right time for him to transition away from the State Senate for his family and his health. His biggest accomplishment, he said, was the passage of a bill that allows adopted children in New Hampshire to access their original birth certificates, containing the names of their birth parents, as adults. He said his biggest regret is not having been able to establish a casino at Rockingham Park in Salem.

"The tragedy is we have 20 casinos now!" he said to laughter.

He hopes his legacy is one of service.

"For almost 50 years, I got paid $100 a year to come up here every day and try to help people," D'Allesandro said. "I hope my legacy is, I've done the right thing."

Having described himself as a lifelong educator, he always pushed for better access to higher education and other educational priorities in the legislature. This year, his bill to protect sports officials was one of a few of his bills that have been passed by both chambers.

D’Allesandro graduated from University of New Hampshire in 1961, where he played football, baseball, and lacrosse. He was inducted into UNH’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.

Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, said in a statement that no one has been as dedicated to serving New Hampshire as D’Allesandro.

“Our Dean, the Lion of the Senate, Senator Lou D’Allesandro is an incomparable pillar and institution of public service in the state of New Hampshire,” Soucy said in a statement. “His shoes are ones that can never be filled, and his announcement today truly rings bittersweet. As Lou and his family set off on this next chapter, I know that public service will still remain his North Star and that we will see him continue to serve our great state.”

His announcement comes weeks after Senate President Jeb Bradley revealed his intent to retire.

Bradley also shared high praise for D'Allesandro's contributions to the state.

“Senator Lou D’Allesandro has dedicated decades of his life to public service," Bradley said. "As the Dean of the Senate said himself, he worked tirelessly to ensure that things were better under his tenure. My colleagues and I had the esteemed privilege of serving with him. While some served with him longer than others, he’s left his mark on everyone that he meets."

Now, two major seats will be open for election in the Senate, which currently has 14 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Senate District 20 leans Democratic.

D'Allesandro didn't endorse anyone to replace him, although he said he is open to it. He said he will support whoever is the Democratic nominee.

He said that he's still planning on staying active in state politics.

"Until I take my dying breath," D'Allesandro said. "I always wanted to leave you wanting more D'Allesandro."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Lou D'Allesandro, dean of the NH Senate, to retire at end of session