Hogan not running for re-election, plans to focus on business

Del. Clarke N. Hogan, R-Halifax, a budget conferee and close ally of the speaker of the House of Delegates, is ending his legislative career to focus on his lumber company.

Hogan said operating a business related to the homebuilding industry requires more of his attention amid today's economic turbulence. He runs Ontario Hardwood in Keysville.

"It's not really a decision; it's dealing with reality," he said. "When you've got a business to run and you're the principal in it and with the economy in the shape it's in, you have to look after that first."

Once he joined the legislature in 2002, Hogan quickly rose through the ranks and landed a spot on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

"I'm not going to tell you it's not hard to walk away from being a budget conferee and work on those issues I've enjoyed working on and hopefully contributed on," he said, "but when you have a citizen legislature, people have to come and go, and that's part of the process."

Hogan is in his fourth term representing Halifax and Charlotte counties as well as parts of Prince Edward and Nottoway counties.

He plans to soon speak with potential Republican successors, but Democrats are already eyeing the seat.

David M. Guill, a member of the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors, has filed his certificate of candidate qualification with the State Board of Elections. And House Minority Leader Del. Ward L. Armstrong, D-Henry, said that other people expressed interest in the seat upon Hogan's unexpected announcement Sunday.

"We look to field a strong candidate and that's clearly a seat that we're interested in," Armstrong said. "That's what I would call pretty much a swing district anymore."

As for Hogan's plans, he said he doesn't have any intention to seek elected office again.

His retirement from the House comes on the heels of many others announced recently. He is joined by Dels. William H. Fralin, Jr., R-Roanoke; Frank D. Hargrove Sr., R-Hanover; Kenneth R. Melvin, D-Portsmouth; Albert C. Eisenberg, D-Arlington; and Jeffrey M. Frederick, R-Prince William.

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or .