Connecticut state Senator Kevin Kelly abruptly stepped down Friday as minority leader. State Senator Stephen Harding‚ a first-term senator from Brookfield‚ replaced Kelly to fill the role. “I am honored to have been chosen by our caucus to succeed Sen. Kelly as caucus leader‚” Harding said‚ according to Connecticut Mirror. Reports indicate Kelly lost a vote of confidence from the caucus. CT Senate GOP forces Kevin Kelly out as minority leader https://t.co/mUaFLhnwHW pic.twitter.com/nTsO1ULAZU — Connecticut Mirror (@CTMirror) February 16‚ 2024 Connecticut Mirror reports: Kelly agreed to make way for Harding during a face-to-face meeting at the state Capitol on Friday without a removal vote by the caucus. The senators then voted to elect Harding. “As leader‚ I will make sure our caucus remains unified and focused on standing up for all people‚ offering solutions and showing a better path forward‚” Harding said. The removal of a leader at mid-term is extraordinary in Connecticut‚ but the Senate GOP caucus and its staff have been widely seen as divided and toxic at the state Capitol. Kelly tried to change the dynamic by bringing in a new chief of staff‚ John Healey‚ a year ago‚ but kept other senior staff who resisted the change. Last month‚ Kelly abruptly fired Healey with little explanation. Congrats to State Sen. Stephen Harding as he begins his new role as the CT State Senate Minority Leader. Looking forward to a new direction under his leadership! https://t.co/IhBkxP17JV — Kim-Marie Mullin (@KimMarieMullin) February 17‚ 2024 Confirmed by my colleague @news12ctsudol: Kevin Kelly out as @CTSenateGOP leader Official statement coming soon https://t.co/PSt3582xF1 — John Craven (@johncraven1) February 16‚ 2024 “I have been incredibly honored to serve as the leader of this caucus and will work collaboratively with Sen. Harding going forward‚” Kelly said in a news release obtained by the Washington Examiner. “Our caucus is made up of hard-working individuals who love our state and are ready to fight for it. Together we continue to stand up for policies that make our state more affordable for all people by reducing tax burdens on poor‚ working- and middle-class families‚ creating opportunities in education and jobs‚ and increasing health care access and affordability‚” Kelly added. More from the Washington Examiner: Harding formerly served four terms as a House member and is now in his first term in the Senate. “Sen. Harding is extremely knowledgeable and cares deeply about the people of Connecticut. He will be an excellent Senate Republican Leader‚” Kelly added. In a statement‚ Harding said he was “honored to have been chosen” by the caucus to replace Kelly‚ who held the role since 2020. “As leader‚ I will make sure our caucus remains unified and focused on standing up for all people‚ offering solutions and showing a better path forward‚” Harding said‚ per the Hartford Courant. “From strengthening public safety‚ environmental‚ education‚ and health care policies to preserving fiscal discipline‚ we will work to give residents the stability and predictability they deserve. I thank Sen. Kelly for his leadership and look forward to the challenges ahead.”