With state Sen. Connie Williams (D-Montgomery) set to retire after this year, and legislative business in Harrisburg expected to be limited during a busy campaign season, Williams' 11-year career in the state legislature is all but over.

But that's not slowing her down.

Williams, who has represented the 17th Senatorial District since late 2001 after five years in the state House, is chairing the Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee this year, overseeing the party's efforts to cut into the Republican majority in the upper chamber.

The committee, under Williams' leadership, hopes to pick up two or three seats this fall, with the long-term goal of taking majority control in 2010.

"It's how I started," Williams told PolitickerPA.com recently of ending her career on the campaign trail. "I love campaigns."

State Rep. Daylin Leach (D-Upper Merion), who is running to replace Williams, said her work ethic should serve as an example to other lawmakers nearing the end of their careers.

"I think it speaks to her character," Leach said. "Connie is as active as she's ever been. She's working until the last possible minute on the last possible day, working hard, and I think that's a model for all of us for how to behave as our careers wind down.

"I marvel at her energy, and her ability to go to every single event," he added. "She's always been like that, since I first got to know her."

Williams, for her part, said she was optimistic that her last stint on the campaign trail would be a successful one.

"We have put together a very professional organization to support our candidates, and we are optimistic that the people of Pennsylvania will appreciate the quality of people we are running for the senate," she said. "I'm delighted to be back on the campaign trail for others."