Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced Sunday that state Sen. Carlo Leone will resign, effective Jan. 5.

Leone served the 27th District in the state Senate.

"It has been my great honor to serve as the Senator for the 27th District and as a member of the Connecticut Senate and I will forever cherish my time there," he said in his resignation letter.

In a statement, Secretary Merrill noted, "Under state law, the governor has ten days to issue a writ of election to choose a successor in the 27th state Senate district. That special election must be held on the 46th day after the issuance of the writ of election. Major party conventions must take place by 36 days before the special election."

Kevin Coughlin with Senate Democrats confirms that Leone is joining the Lamont administration as a special assistant to state Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti.