By Bob Gibson
Daily Progress political blogger

Potential GOP candidates for attorney general are dropping out in pairs.

One day after Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle County, said no to a 2009 bid, Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, joined him in citing family considerations for not running statewide.

Bell said he and his wife, Jessica, just learned she is pregnant with their second child.

Obenshain cited other family considerations, leaving former Del. Paul Harris as potentially the strongest challenger to the only announced Republican in the field, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, R-Fairfax County.

Del. Steve Shannon, D-Vienna, appears to be the most active Democrat eyeing the 2009 attorney general’s race.

Here is the text of Obenshain’s statement announcing today that he is not running:

“Over the past several months I have been encouraged to run for Attorney General of Virginia. After great consideration and deliberation, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for that office in 2009.

“To have the opportunity to serve Virginia’s citizens as Attorney General would be a great honor and privilege. It is a job for which I feel well suited by my professional endeavors over the past 21 years and by my public service. I have been encouraged by phone calls, e-mails and comments from friends from across Virginia and for that I am grateful.

“My family is the abiding consideration for me in deciding to forego a run at this time. I have two children in high school, and I am very proud of them. I understand the sacrifices my family would have to make in order for me to seek statewide office at this time, and they are too great.

Thanks to one and all for the encouragement you have provided both for my consideration of a run for AG, and for my service in the Senate of Virginia.”