Anthony J. Solomon, Rhode Island's state treasurer, announced yesterday that "due to health concerns," he would not seek re-election this fall.
Mr. Solomon, 60, said his decision was not an easy one, but that both the state and his family's needs would be best served if he withdrew. He declined to say what his health problems are.
"Over the past 10 weeks, I have been mulling the decision over," said Mr. Solomon, a Democrat. "I have had a great 25-year career in both public and private finance and leave with no regrets.
"There comes a time when every one of us has to reconsider our goals and evaluate how to spend the rest of our lives," he said. "I'm not yet sure what my immediate plans are for the future."
Mr. Solomon first served as state treasurer from 1977 through 1984. After spending 1984 through 1988 as a pension specialist with the investment banking firm of Alex. Brown & Co. of Boston, he ran for treasurer again in 1988 and defeated two opponents.
With Mr. Solomon's announcement, the Democrats expect to pit Marlene McKenna, a public finance banker with Prudential Securities Inc., against Republican Nancy Mayer in the November general election. Ms, McKenna is based in Prudential's Providence office.
