MARSHFIELD, Mass. (AP) – State Senator Steven Tolman, the new leader of the state AFL-CIO, says he will resign his legislative seat after the Senate votes on the casino gambling bill.

The Boston Democrat says the bill is important for jobs and the state’s economy, and he wants to have the chance to vote for it. The vote is expected next week.

Tolman was elected president of Massachusetts AFL-CIO on Wednesday. The labor group represents about 400,000 workers.

A special election will be held to fill Tolman’s legislative seat once he steps down. Tolman is in his seventh term in the Senate after serving two years in the House.

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