Del. Clifford L. “Clay” Athey, Jr. (R-Warren), Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, announced today that he would not be seeking re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates this fall.

Athey commented:

“Following discussions with my family and my colleagues in the General Assembly over the last several months, I have decided not to seek the nomination of my party for a sixth term representing the citizens of Warren, Frederick, and Fauquier County in the Virginia House of Delegates.”

“In the forefront of this family decision is the fact that our children, Madagan and Clayton, who will turn five years old next week, will be attending Kindergarten at A.S. Rhodes Elementary School beginning in September. Since another term in Richmond would require me to be away from my children more than I am willing to endure, Stacey and I decided that standing for re-election at this time would not be in our family’s best interest. To stand for re-election when I believe my children need my undivided attention would be contrary to the values I learned by example from my parents, Phyllis Madagan Athey and Lynwood Athey, as a young boy growing up in the Shenandoah Valley.”

Athey added:

“Although I will certainly miss working with all of my friends at the General Assembly beginning the second Wednesday of each January, I am heartened by the knowledge that the close friendships forged during times of crises and accomplishment over the last ten years can never be extinguished. I will always respect and admire my colleagues in the General Assembly for their commitment to public service and I am sure that the heartfelt feelings of friendship and loyalty we have for our General Assembly family, on both sides of the aisle and in both bodies, shall endure for the rest of our lives”

Athey concluded:

“Finally, the Athey family shall always be appreciative and grateful for the opportunity afforded to us by our constituents during our ten year tenure as their voice in Richmond. Although I am not seeking re-election, our family remains committed to public service as a high calling. Without question, Stacey and I would recommend a life in public service to any young person of high ideals. However, as families in Warren, Frederick, and Fauquier County well understand, the most important task in my family’s life is the proper Christian upbringing of these two precocious, precious, inquisitive and intelligent children who our blessed Savior brought into our lives almost five years ago. Therefore any future public service commitment for our family must necessarily allow their father to be at home in the evenings and on weekends to attend their various games and events.”

Related: Gov. McDonnell statement on Athey House retirement