Two senior Democratic state senators, Charles J. Colgan of Prince William County and Henry L. Marsh III of Richmond, said Tuesday that they will run for re-election.
The announcement by Colgan, 84, is especially important to Democrats in their bid to retain control of the Senate. Democrats feared that if Colgan retired, they would lose his seat and, perhaps, their narrow majority.
Democrats hold a 22-18 advantage in the Senate. All 40 Senate seats are up for election this fall. The 16th district represented by Marsh, 75, is solidly Democratic.
Colgan is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Marsh is chairman of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee. Colgan is the longest-serving member of the Senate and its president pro tem. He has served since 1976.
In his announcement, Marsh reminded voters that a Democratic primary will be held Aug. 23.
Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, on Tuesday would neither confirm nor deny that he plans to challenge Marsh in the primary. "I'll save that for later," Morrissey said.
Marsh, a lawyer, has served in the Senate since 1992. Before that, he was on the Richmond City Council and served as Richmond mayor.
In his announcement, he cited "my results-driven leadership and experience."
He said he has worked to fully fund education, championed legislation to create jobs and protected health-care services for the young and elderly.
Colgan, a cancer survivor, had to be persuaded to run again four years ago and was thought to be wavering this time.
"My health is good and there is still a lot to be done," Colgan said, citing his efforts to secure more funding for community colleges and George Mason University.
He also said his wife told him "you're going to go crazy if you don't run."
Colgan represents the 29th district, which consists of Manassas, Manassas Park and part of Prince William. The 16th district consists of parts of Richmond, all of Petersburg and Hopewell, and parts of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie and Prince George counties.
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