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”