Long-time Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd on Tuesday said he would not stand for re-election in November, ending a 35 year career in the U.S. Congress.

“But that time is not now,” the Senator said in prepared remarks. “My service is not over. I still have one year left on my contract with the people of Connecticut.”

Dodd, an influential senator, is the leader of the Senate’s health and banking commissions.