Following Tuesday's news that state Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, would not seek reelection, Democrat Martha Marx entered the race.

Marx, of New London, said Friday that she intends to make a third attempt at the seat Formica had defeated her for in back-to-back challenges in 2018 and 2020. She confirmed that Formica's decision not to run again informed her choice to run.

"I kept saying if it's an open seat, I'll run again," said Marx, who was elected to the New London City Council last year.

"I'm just going to continue to carry my momentum across the 20th," she said. "I know the district. I've lived here. I've worked in it. I go from house to house in the 20th District. I've knocked on thousands of doors already."

The district encompasses Bozrah, Salem, Waterford, New London, East Lyme, Old Lyme and parts of Old Saybrook and Montville.

"I'm a little bit more tired from COVID than I was two years ago, but I'm going to continue to do my thing," she added.

Marx, who works as a visiting nurse, campaigned on a health care platform in her last run and had hoped to bring a health care voice to Hartford. She is also the chair of New London's Democratic Town Committee.

Former New London Mayor Daryl Finizio, who announced in November that he would be seeking the 20th District state Senate seat in the 2022 election, withdrew from the race Friday morning. In a news release, Finizio said Marx's entrance into the race informed his decision.

"I have had numerous discussions with Democratic Party leaders in the past few days and it is clear that the only path forward to the nomination is through a Democratic Party primary," Finizio said in the release. "While I believe I could be successful in a primary effort, I am equally convinced that a primary between two New London progressive Democrats would only have one ultimate result; the election of another conservative Republican Senator to represent our district."

Finizio said he supported Marx's candidacies for state Senate in 2018 and 2020 and will do so for the upcoming election as well, and he called her a "fierce advocate" on progressive issues.

Marx said Friday that she hasn't heard about any possible opponents and, regardless, she plans to focus on her campaign.

Formica's decision to step down surprised Marx. But, she said, "I'm very happy for him."

"I think he just became a grandfather. I'm going to become a grandmother for the first time. We're both starting new chapters in our lives," she said. "He worked hard for the 20th District, and I appreciate everything he did. A lot of people really liked him. But now it's a new chapter in the state Senate, too."

s.spinella@theday.com