Another candidate hopes to succeed retiring Del. Frank Hall

In the same afternoon that lawmakers bid Del. Franklin P. Hall, D-Richmond, adieu in a series of floor speeches, another candidate announced his bid to replace the long-time delegate.

Carlos Brown, a corporate finance lawyer, is joining the hopefuls vying to succeed Hall in the 69th House of Delegates district. Hall is leaving the House after 34 years to become one of three commissioners who oversee the state's liquor monopoly.

Antione M. Green, president of the Richmond Crusade for Voters, and Betsy Carr, Richmond School Board member, previously announced their intentions for the seat. The Democratic Party will decide whether its nominee is selected in a primary or a convention.

The 69th district, anchored in South Richmond, includes part of Chesterfield County and has an African-American majority.

Brown, senior counsel for Dominion Resources Services, a Dominion subsidiary, ran unsuccessfully against Del. Delores L. McQuinn, D-Richmond, in a special election for the 70th district House seat that Dwight Jones vacated to take over as Richmond mayor.

Brown, 34, has worked at McGuireWoods and at McCandlish Holton since graduating from the University of Virginia. He also sits on several boards including the Virginia Small Business Advisory Board, on which he serves as vice-chairman. He is currently working on establishing permanent residency within the district boundaries.

"I am entering this race because, in these precarious economic times, we need a strong voice for economic development here in Richmond," Brown said. "We need to ensure that we are creating and preserving jobs and assisting small businesses so Richmonders can provide for their families."