Surrounded by fellow Democratic members of Stamford's Hartford delegation at a local gym and wearing boxing gloves, Adams announced he's running again to represent the state's 146th District.
He's facing an Aug. 9 primary challenge from Dan Dauplaise, while David Michel is suing to get on the ballot after he was denied by Stamford's Democratic Registrar of Voters Ron Malloy.
Adams doesn't want to look forward to November's election, instead he's focused on winning the Democratic primary.
"My biggest hurdle now is getting past the primary," said Adams, who added he was surprised to be challenged by a fellow Democrat.
"Yes. We don't normally run Democrats against Democrats. We normally support each other and I was a little surprised at this but also excited that my delegation stands behind me and supports me on my re-election," he said.
Adams is also a member of the city's Board of Representatives and said he will step down from that position if re-elected in November. He said he had remained on the board in order to fight the issue of a company that was rock crushing in his district. The city has taken action against the firm and the case is before the court, Adams said.
He was joined in a boxing ring at Revolution Fitness at 579 Pacific St., by State Sen. Carlos Leone, 27th, and state Representatives Daniel Fox, 148th, Patricia Billie Miller, 145th, Caroline Simmons, 144th and William Tong, 147th.
Tong said Adams has been an effective representative for his district and immediately made his presence felt on a pedestrian safety bill during his rookie term.
"Terry jumped right on a very important bill to promote pedestrian safety and to increase the penalty for not slowing down in a crosswalk and hitting a pedestrian with an automobile," Tong said as he joined his fellow members in endorsing Adams. "Terry showed a lot of leadership on that issue and right away as a freshman showed how effective and impactful he could be."
Milller called Adams a hard worker.
"Terry has been a great addition to the delegation. He came in rolled up his sleeves and worked hard," she said in commending him in diligently read bills and bringing up points others may have missed.
Simmons, who like Adams was first elected in 2014, praised him for his steady presence.
"It is such an honor to have the opportunity to serve on the delegation with Terry," she said. "We started as freshmen but sometimes I felt like Terry was more senior because I would always go to him and he would lend an encouraging word whether we were on public safety committee together or whether it was in the chamber. He is such a good person and his full of integrity and honesty."
Leone and Fox joined in the praise.
"He knows his district and he works hard," said Fox.
Two Greenwich Republicans, state Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-36th District and state Rep. Livvy Floren, R-149th District, also represent portions of Stamford.
Adams said he chose to hold his re-election announcement at Revolution Fitness because of the youth program run by co-owners, brothers Samad and Ahmad Mickens.
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