Ward Armstrong

Former Del. Ward Armstrong, D-Henry County, announced today that he won’t run for statewide office in 2013 and will back fellow Democrats Terry McAuliffe for governor and Mark Herring for attorney general.

Armstrong’s 20-year career in the House of Delegates came to an end following a 2011 loss to Republican Charles Poindexter of Franklin County in a post-redistricting clash of incumbents. Armstrong was the House minority leader and a prime target of Republicans seeking to strengthen their majority in the chamber.

Even after the loss, Armstrong said he was considering a 2013 run for attorney general. But he announced today that he won’t be a candidate next year.

“My twenty years in the House of Delegates, particularly the last four as the Democratic Leader, required considerable time and attention – time that could not be spent with my family and on the operation of my small business,” Armstrong said in a news release.  “My public service was important despite the cost. But for the immediate future my family and my clients now deserve my focus.”

“I hope that my decision will not be perceived as an exit from Virginia politics,” Armstrong said.  “I still believe I have more contributions to make to this great state.”

In a telephone interview, Armstrong ruled out another run for a General Assembly seat but said he remains interested in running for statewide office “down the road.”  In the meantime, Armstrong said he plans to expand his law practice to Richmond, splitting time between the state capital and his home base in Martinsville.

Armstrong said McAuliffe “can lead Virginia to a new level of economic prosperity without distraction from divisive social issues.   I will do all I can to see that he is elected our next governor.”

Armstrong also said he will back Herring, a state senator from Loudoun County, for attorney general.

“Mark and I served together as committee clerks to the state Senate in 1986 and served together in the General Assembly for a number of years,” Armstrong said. “He will make a great attorney general.”

Armstrong’s full statement is below.

– Michael Sluss

ARMSTRONG ANNOUNCES FUTURE PLANS BUT WILL NOT SEEK STATEWIDE OFFICE IN 2013

            Since my unsuccessful bid for reelection to the House of Delegates last year I have been pondering whether to run for statewide office.  Indeed, as a practicing attorney, I have strongly considered whether to seek the office of Attorney General, head of the state’s law firm.  It has been a decision that I have wrestled with every day for more than a year.

          My twenty years in the House of Delegates, particularly the last four as the Democratic Leader, required considerable time and attention – time that could not be spent with my family and on the operation of my small business.  My public service was important despite the cost. But for the immediate future my family and my clients now deserve my focus.

          Accordingly, with considerable mixed emotion, I have decided not to run for statewide office in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2013. 

          I hope that my decision will not be perceived as an exit from Virginia politics.  I still believe I have more contributions to make to this great state. 

          In affirmation of that principle I intend to dedicate considerable personal effort to the election of Democrats at all levels next year.  I am firmly convinced that Terry McAuliffe can lead Virginia to a new level of economic prosperity without distraction from divisive social issues.   I will do all I can to see that he is elected our next governor.

          Moreover I have also pledged my support to Mark Herring, who has previously announced his bid for Attorney General.  Mark and I served together as committee clerks to the state Senate in 1986 and served together in the General Assembly for a number of years.  He will make a great attorney general. 

          I appreciate my many friends and supporters including those who urged me to run next year.  I know they will understand my decision. 

          I look forward to next year’s campaigns and future opportunities to serve the people of Virginia.