March 9, 2009, South Boston – Delegate Clarke Hogan, (R) 60th District, announced that he will not seek re-election to a fifth term in the Virginia House of Delegates.

“There is a season for everything,” he said.  Citing the responsibilities of owning and operating a business during rough economic times, Hogan said he has decided to focus his energies on his Ontario Hardwood business located in Keysville. 

“Part of this has always been a balancing act between two full-time jobs, and that’s a lot to look after.  You can do it when things are going well, and I’ve enjoyed doing it for eight years, but in this economic environment, I’ve got to look after my primary responsibility, and that’s running Ontario Hardwood.” 

In making the announcement, Hogan said he didn’t really consider it a choice.  “We are dealing with the toughest economy we have seen in 60 years, since the Great Depression, and that requires anyone who has a business to spend all of their focus on that business.  I see this decision as dealing with the reality of the environment.”

Hogan was first elected to the House of Delegates in November 2001 and rose quickly in political ranks.  He was tapped as a budget conferee and served on the House Appropriations committee, where he served as chairman of the Compensation and Retirement Subcommittee. 

He also served as a member of the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee and the Rules Committee.

Hogan currently serves as chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission’s Technology Committee and is also a member of the Executive Committee and the Southside Economic Development Committee. 

“It’s been an honor, and I’ve enjoyed helping this district.  I will certainly miss some of the people I’ve met, and I will miss having the chance to contribute to this community which has been very good to me,” he added.

Hogan expressed appreciation to his aide in the legislature, Shelia Bradley.  “She’s been my partner in this for almost 10 years and has done a tremendous job for our district.  A lot of the things that I have gotten the credit for, she’s done,” Hogan said, adding, “We have had some successes.”

Over the past eight years in Richmond, Hogan cited accomplishments that have benefitted Southside.  Among those accomplishments is permanent funding for the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.  The Center had a budget of $260,000 when he was first elected and now has a budget of over $2 million.  “I can look at this project and see where it has made a difference and will continue to do so for a long time,” Hogan said.

Two other major political accomplishments during his tenure in Richmond include his work on bringing a prison to Drakes Branch and the installation of the 700 mile rural broadband network and what it will mean to the future for Southside Virginia.   

“It’s been a wonderful experience being on the Appropriations Committee and being a budget conferee.  A lot of people have helped me and given me a chance when they didn’t have to.  It’s been a tremendous experience and I’ve learned a lot from it.  I hope it has benefitted the people who live in our district, maybe in ways not readily apparent.” 

Hogan says he leaves Richmond at a time when the state budget is in “fairly good shape because we have been much more careful than other states.”  “Being in a position to be part of those decisions, as one of only a handful of people, has been a real honor,” he said, crediting the Speaker of the House William Howell for that opportunity.