Former six-term Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode has announced he will not run for his old seat in 2010.
According to WSLS10 in Roanoke, Goode e-mailed a statement announcing his decision.
“I sincerely appreciate the privilege accorded to me by the citizens of Virginia’s Fifth District to serve them in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 1997 to January 2009, and I am especially grateful to those who voted for and supported me in past elections.
"I have decided not to seek the Republican nomination for Congress in 2010. It is my hope and expectation that Republicans will nominate a conservative who will oppose the record deficits and debt of the current administration, will support secure borders and oppose amnesty for illegals, will recognize and reduce the huge threat that terrorists pose for our country, will support pro-life issues, and will support the traditional definition of marriage of one man and one woman.
"I look forward to supporting and working for that candidate in 2010.”
In November 2008, Goode lost to Tom Perriello, a Democrat from Ivy, by 727 votes.
