Rep. Mike Wiener to move to Senate; urges calmer politics in farewell speech

Representative Mike Wiener used a floor address to announce he will move to the Senate and to urge his colleagues to put service above partisan interests.

"We don't just represent our area. We represent the whole state," Wiener said, adding that political divisions have deepened and that elected officials should avoid putting party before the public. He invoked George Washington's farewell warning about political factions and urged colleagues to choose calmer dialogue over retribution: "The eye for an eye does not work."

Wiener framed his departure from the chamber as a continuation of public service rather than a retreat from politics. "Not leaving politics. I'm just leaving this chamber," he said, and added that he looks forward to "bringing a calmer voice" from the Senate. He also thanked colleagues for their mentorship and said he hoped he had a positive impact during his four years in office.

During his remarks Wiener praised procedural changes he saw this year, including a shift toward more single-subject bills and fewer omnibus measures, and said the institution must remain focused and not overloaded. On term limits he stated, "I believe personally that we already have term limits in place. And that's the voters," framing electoral turnover as the mechanism that prevents careerism.

The speech included lighthearted moments from other members in the chamber and acknowledgments of staff and colleagues by name. Wiener singled out Pat Murphy and Sergeant Nash in his remarks as examples of people who influenced him.

The address closed with additional thanks and a reiterated commitment to encourage civility and example-setting for younger visitors and future generations. There were no motions or votes recorded as part of the remarks; the speech was a personal farewell and appeal for a less adversarial tone in state politics.