O’Donnell not running in the 1st CD

This just in:

Fellow Democrats,

Delegates attending the upcoming convention on Saturday, November 10th should have a choice from at least four candidates for Democratic nominee seeking to represent the 1st CD in the upcoming Special Election to be held December 11th.

I will not seek, nor do I wish to be nominated as a candidate.

After the 1st CD chair sent out emails with the words “whether to nominate a candidate for the election,” I quietly passed the word that I would run again if absolutely necessary, that is, if no other qualified Democrat stepped up to run in the special election. That’s no longer a requisite since there should be at least four candidates to choose from (including one who has already declared and whose resume is public).

The three other candidates I have spoken with, all carry excellent credentials (none running in the current election cycle), include: an experienced business woman who has served and is still serving as a member of foreign trade missions and on boards and commissions in the Mark Warner and Tim Kaine administrations; two distinguished retired senior ranking military officers, one currently a business man and the other an advocate for veterans who has testified in Washington and Richmond on their behalf. All three are very active Democrats who have been long time residents of the 1st CD.

With such great Democrats as these, I urge all those who attend the convention to come as uncommitted delegates. To do otherwise would be unfair and badly serve all these candidates and the Democratic Party.

I take great satisfaction in knowing that after my 2006 congressional campaign, other Democrats have decided to follow my example and step up and run. As I have said and keep saying, “Democrats must run for every office on every level: local, state and national.” There is no place in the Democratic Party for “whether” anymore. That time has passed.

Thank you for the emails, phone calls, and all the support you have shown me. I hope to see you in Williamsburg on November 10th. I think it will be an exciting and memorable day!

Meanwhile, please stay focused on the great opportunities we have across Virginia’s 1st District for Democratic victories from school boards to the State Senate. Tuesday, November 6th could prove to be a historic day for Democrats all across Virginia!

Regards,
Shawn

Thanks, Shawn, for your willingness to run and for doing what you believe is best for the Democratic Party.