HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, a Democratic contender for the Connecticut’s U.S. Senate seat, is returning to the legal profession.

Bysiewicz said Tuesday she has joined the newly founded law firm of Pastore Shofi & Dailey. She said she will lead the firm’s Glastonbury office and focus on corporate law and finance, banking, securities and contract negotiation.

A former state representative, Bysiewicz served 12 years as Secretary of the State.

Last year, she waged an unsuccessful primary challenge against then-U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy for the open Senate seat. Murphy won the primary and ultimately the general election.

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