Former State Senator will remain Former State Senator Jay O’Brien.
O’Brien has dropped out of the race to reclaim his seat in the 39th Senate District. Yesterday he sent his supporters the following:
After much thought and prayer, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy from the 39th State Senate campaign for 2011.
Unfortunately, recent developments in my business will require more of my attention than I had previously anticipated. It is clear to me that I cannot continue a campaign for office without the full concentration it deserves.
That’s a nice letter, but were “business developments” really the cause? Not if you believe a report from the News and Messenger published prior to O’Brien’s withdrawal.
Reached Thursday, O’Brien wouldn’t confirm that he planned to step aside.
“No decision on that,” he said.
But word of the likelihood was making its way through Prince William and Fairfax political circles Thursday afternoon.
It came after O’Brien was apparently caught on security video taking several Martin campaign fliers from the Davis General Store in Clifton.
O’Brien said that he was taking the fliers for opposition research. But, just how many copies do you need for that? It seems he didn’t take a couple, he took a handful.
Does the RPV do classes in shooting oneself in the foot?
What? Was? He? Thinking???
Sure, there are always stories of campaign workers getting caught stealing an opponent’s signs. It happens in both parties. But those signs are usually taken by young, overly zealous campaign staff. It doesn’t rise to the level of tire slashing, but it never ends well.
And it seems this won’t end well either for the candidate about whom Governor McDonnell said “Jay O’Brien is one of the most decent, honest and principled people I have met in public life.”
Oops.
O’Brien dropping out doesn’t mean there’s no GOP candidate. Scott Martin is the assistant dean for Technology, Research and Advancement at George Mason University and has been making a strong run.
Perhaps we’ll even see Governor McDonnell join Martin at an upcoming event.
Soon.
