By Bob Gibson
Charlottesville political blogger

Paul Harris, a Northern Virginia Republican who served two terms in the House of Delegates from Albemarle County until 2001,
has decided not to run for attorney general next year.

Harris said that in recent weeks there were times “when I thought maybe I can do this and make it work.”

He decided however that 2009 was not the right time.

His eldest child, P.J., just turned 17 and is a senior in high school next year and “I just couldn’t stomach not being there,” he said. “It’s been a very prayerful time for me and lots of folks have been very supportive of me in helping me make this decision.”

Harris may take a position in the John McCain campaign, he said of his continuing political activity this year.

He left the House of Delegates in 2001 to taker a position in the Bush Justice Department and now is in private law practice.

Harris explained his attorney general decision in an email to friends.

It reads in full: “Dear Friends,

“I have decided not to seek the office of Attorney General of Virginia in 2009.  This difficult decision encompassed more than political dimensions, reaching into areas faith and personal values. 

“Over the past several months, I have heard with my ears and embraced with my heart the earnest and well-meant pleas of ‘this is your time’.  Those sincere expressions of support and encouragement refreshed my fondness and appreciation for life on the political campaign trail, as well as my love for the wonderful people of this Commonwealth, from all stations and walks of life.  Your support also renewed in me a calling to serve a higher purpose with one’s life, a lesson my mother instilled in me.

“In the end, however, what matters most to me is that I do God’s will.  Discerning His will for my life requires patience, and, in this instance, that quite likely means I will have to wait for a period that extends beyond self-imposed, political or convenient deadlines.  Even the most courageous and well thought-through decisions in life cannot substitute for obedience to God’s will.  But although I must wait, surely it would not be fair of me to impose that burden upon either the nomination process itself or any announced or potential candidate for attorney general.  I will not do that. 

“In its simplest terms, the joy of spending time with my three children far outweighs any desire I have to be attorney general.  I get choked up thinking that my son, Paul Jr., a rising high school senior, will be off to college in the fall of 2009.  He is co-captain of his high school wrestling team and placed second in his district tournament this year.  No political office could ever substitute for pride that wells up from these three simple words: “I was there.” In those moments when the crowds are gone and I am left alone to my thoughts, I realize in my gut that I am not willing to sacrifice even one spontaneous moment with my children—those instant eternal memories that last for a lifetime—in the name of political ambition. 

“Even at the age of 44, I can still feel the pain—the rejection and embarrassment—when, as a young Cub Scout in Den 3, Pack 98, in Charlottesville, I could not participate in the annual father-son project of designing and making miniature wooden race cars, because there was no father in my household.  I vowed then that my children would have a different experience.  I am where I am today because God blessed me with a mother who was present.  She taught me that there are no victims in life, only volunteers. 

“In the past few weeks, I have recalled time and again the words of Carl Sandburg, who said: “Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” My mother spent her coin well, in selfless devotion to her children.  I shall try as best I can in my life to do the same. 

“Some political assessments hold that this decision might mean I will never serve as attorney general of Virginia or ever again hold political office.  If so, I am at peace with this decision nonetheless.  Truly, my life has been like one long up-escalator.  A designated “at risk” child in grade school, I am humbled to even be considered by many as a worthy candidate for attorney general.  That itself is an achievement my mother would be proud of.  But she also would be proud of me for choosing to be a good father, even if this happens to be ‘my time’.

“Next year Virginia Republicans will have several outstanding and exceptionally qualified candidates from which to choose a nominee for attorney general.  I look forward to joining with our Republican ticket next year and rousing support for the optimistic vision and ideals of our party and its candidates, always standing for and with those whose compelling hope is to improve their modest lot in life. 

“I thank all of you who have been helpful and supportive in this decision-making process.  I especially thank those who have prayed with me and given me spiritual comfort along the way.  To those who might be disappointed by my decision, I hope you will understand and trust my reasons for making this decision and look forward to our continued friendship. 

“Finally, in the words of George Washington, Father of Our Country, may we all “labour to keep alive in our breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.” And then let us together do what is right for our Commonwealth and her good people.

“With warm personal regards,
Paul”

By Bob Gibson
Daily Progress political blogger

Jim Richardson, the chaplain of the California Senate, has been chosen as the new rector at St. Paul’s Memorial Church in Charlottesville. 

Richardson of Sacramento, Calif., worked 22 years as a journalist before becoming a priest in 2000. He left The Sacramento Bee as senior writer in 1997 after covering politics and writing an unauthorized biography of Willie Brown.

The interim rector of All Soul’s Parish in Berkeley, Calif., as well as chaplain of the California State Senate, he was called by the vestry at St. Paul’s at the conclusion of a two-year search process. During most of that period, the Rev. Alan Mead of Richmond, Va., served as interim rector following the retirement of the Rev. David Poist.

Jim and his wife, Lori, worked together at the Bee for many years. Jim will officially join the staff of St. Paul’s Memorial Church on Aug. 1.

Having spoken with Jim and Lori, I am delighted to welcome them to Charlottesville and applaud their interest in keeping urban chickens.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UCLA in 1975 where he majored in history and anthropology, Richardson entered the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1997 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000.

From 2000 until 2006, he served as associate dean and canon residentiary of Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento. In 2004, he became Chaplain of the California State Senate. For the past year, he has served as interim rector of All Soul’s Parish in Berkeley.

St. Paul’s Senior Warden Virginia Ritchie announced the call of Richardson and his acceptance at services Sunday, along with Alice Fitch and Charles Lancaster, co-chairs of the Search Committee at St. Paul’s, which nominated Richardson at the conclusion of its two-year search process.

Ritchie said that Richardson is “a man of intelligence and warmth, an effective and energetic leader with an infectious sense of humor and a ready laugh, a powerful preacher, compassionate pastor and committed advocate for those in need.”

By Bob Gibson
Daily Progress political blogger

Bob Marshall said fellow GOP U.S. Senate candidate Jim Gilmore is trying to tally ignore him and pretend he’s won the nomination

“I am the space alien in this race to him,” Marshall said. “I will walk in a room and he will not even look at me.”

“He doesn’t want to admit he’s got an opponent,” said the veteran delegate campaigning as a populist.

“Gilmore and Warner are both part of the establishment,” Marshall said between bites of the bony shad served Wednesday afternoon by the Wakefield Ruritan Club. “I am the anti-establishment guy.”

Marshall said he is being supported for the GOP nomination by “Right-to-lifers, home schoolers, anti-tax people, libertarians and people who are mad at Gilmore.”

Asked which of those five groups of Republicans is the largest, Marshall laughed and declined to respond “on the record,” indicating that each is sizeable but the last group might be biggest.

Dick Leggitt, a longtime Gilmore aide, insisted that the Marshall-Gilmore nomination contest “is over,” saying Gilmore employs consultants who can count the already elected and committed delegates to the May 30-31 Richmond convention.

“We call them and talk to them. We count them,” Leggitt said. “Bob Marshall is a good candidate and we hope he’ll be supporting us in the fall.”