Moran resigns seat, to campaign full time

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian J. Moran announced today that he is resigning his seat in the House of Delegates to run full time.

Moran sent a letter to his constituents announcing his plan and another to Governor Tim Kaine. Kaine will have to set the date for the special election to fill Moran’s seat. I hope the election can take place prior to the start of the General Assembly session on January 14.

Will this be the beginning of other such announcements? Democratic opponent Creigh Deeds serves in the State Senate while Republican nominee Bob McDonnell is the Attorney General. It seems to me that it is going to be a bit difficult to have two candidates (Moran and as-yet-undeclared Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffee) campaigning full time  while the other two are trying to hold down jobs.

The full press release is below the fold.

Moran to Campaign for Governor Full Time
~ “The next four years are too important” he declares in resignation letter to constituents ~

ALEXANDRIA -Today, in a letter to his constituents, Delegate Brian Moran announced his intention to focus full time on his campaign for governor and resign from the House of Delegates.  For two decades, Moran has been a dedicated public servant, including 12 years in the House of Delegates, seven years as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, and seven years as a county prosecutor. Moran highlighted the fact that running a full-time campaign would require he shortchange his constituents representation in the House. His announcement comes after the recent endorsements of major Virginia leaders from across the Commonwealth.

A copy of the letter is attached. A video statement from Delegate Moran will be available later today.

“Alexandria has a real fighter for families in Brian Moran, but we need him in the governor’s office next year,” Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille said. “I know Brian wanted to continue serving our community, but I also know the best service he can give is as the next governor.”

“Our loss is Virginia’s gain,” said Susan Kellom, Chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. “I would have loved Brian to stay as our delegate, but I respect his need to campaign full time to win this election.  We are so proud of his service to Alexandria and we know that he has so much to contribute to all of Virginia.”

“The House Caucus may be losing a leader, but Virginia is gaining a governor,” Minority Leader Ward Armstrong said. “We’ve had no better leader than Brian Moran. He led Democrats back from our lowest points and has been a tireless advocate for his district. I know this decision wasn’t easy for Brian, but he deserves the respect of the people of Virginia for refusing to shortchange his constituents.”

Recent examples of similar situations:

• In 2001, Richmond Mayor Tim Kaine resigned as mayor to run in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor.
• In 2005, Attorney General Jerry Kilgore resigned from his position to run full time in his general election campaign for Governor.
• Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner recently left the Kaine administration to campaign full time for Lieutenant Governor.

Moran sent his letter of resignation to Governor Kaine effective today. A special election to fill the seat can occur prior to the General Assembly session begins on January 14, 2009.

Brian Moran has represented the people of Alexandria City and Fairfax County since 1996. He has served on the Virginia Crime Commission, the Courts of Justice Committee, and numerous other committees and commissions. He has been recognized as Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Legislator of the Year, “Child Advocate of the Year” by the Virginia PTA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving Legislator of the Year, among others. He has recently been endorsed by former Congressman L. F. Payne, Democratic leaders in Martinsville and Loudoun and, a majority of the Democratic Party’s Executive Committee.