FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               Friday, May 16, 2008

Contact: Senator Iris Estabrook

(603) 271-3042

SENATOR ESTABROOK SAYS SHE WILL NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION

CONCORD – Durham Senator Iris Estabrook announced today she will not seek election to a fourth term in the Senate.

Senator Estabrook, who served this term as Senate Vice President for Policy and chairwoman of the Senate Education and Health and Human Services committees, has been a strong supporter of early childhood education and the key architect of an education funding plan designed to comply with the constitutional requirement to pay for an adequate education for every pupil.

Prior to her election as Senator in District 21, Estabrook served three terms in the New Hampshire House, during which she was House Assistant Democratic Leader for Education Policy. 

Estabrook said a variety of personal reasons led to her decision. “I no longer feel I can commit the level of time and energy I believe is necessary to fill this leadership role,” she said.  “It has been an honor to have served in the New Hampshire Legislature and an experience that will stay with me throughout my life.”

Senator Estabrook said she is proud of several major accomplishments. Most recently she co-chaired the Joint Legislative Committee on Costing an Adequate Education and was prime sponsor of the resulting legislation. 

In prior years, she sponsored successful legislation to address the long-standing wait list for services for people with developmental disabilities. She created civil penalties for violations of campaign practice laws, established the Early Learning Opportunities Initiative, wrote a state telemarketing law and strengthened anti-rioting laws. 

As a member of the New Hampshire House, Estabrook was prime sponsor of legislation to make it easier to pass school bond issues, enabling the passage of bonds to renovate and expand Oyster River and Exeter High Schools, among other projects statewide.

She also co-founded the Legislative Caucus for Young Children and worked to have the State Board of Education establish a civics education requirement.