Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Cranwell opts not to seek state office
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From The Roanoke Times
RICHMOND -- Former state Del. Richard Cranwell of Vinton ended speculation about his political plans on Tuesday, saying he will not be a candidate for lieutenant governor next year.
Cranwell, the chairman of the state Democratic Party, had considered making his first bid for elected office since leaving the House of Delegates in 2001. But he decided over the weekend that he will not pursue statewide office.
"This past Sunday, after much thought, I decided I could not make all the pieces of the puzzle fit together," Cranwell said in an e-mail to party leaders and reporters. "Thus, I will not be a candidate for statewide office in 2009."
Cranwell's decision leaves former state Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner and Russell County businessman Jon Bowerbank as rivals for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, which will be decided in a primary. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, will seek re-election.
Cranwell was the Democratic floor leader in the House of Delegates and a formidable legislative force. He retired from the General Assembly in 2001 after a Republican-engineered redistricting plan forced him into the same legislative district as fellow Democrat Clifton "Chip" Woodrum of Roanoke.
At the urging of then-Gov. Mark Warner, Cranwell took over as chairman of the state Democratic Party in 2005. During his tenure, Democrats have won elections for governor and two U.S. Senate seats, gained a majority in the state Senate and picked up delegate seats.
