After receiving pressure from top representatives in the General Assembly, Del. Joe T. May (R-33) announced on March 10 his decision to end his run for the lieutenant governor's office.
May, who has represented the western two-thirds of Loudoun and part of Clarke County since 1994, was simultaneously running for lieutenant governor and defending his delegate's seat.
"It became pretty apparent I wasn't going to be able to do justice to both," he said.
Since November, May had been meeting with Speaker of the House Del. William J. Howell (R-28) and House majority leader Del. H. Morgan Griffith (R-8) regarding his aspirations. The agreement they finally came to, May said, was that the position he held in the House of Delegates was too vital to lose.
May is the chair of the House subcommittee on transportation appropriations, which decides where transportation funds go. He is also chair of the House Science and Technology committee, as well as vice chair of the Transportation committee.
HOWELL AND GRIFFITH came to Leesburg to join May as he announced his withdrawal from the race last week.
"Joe May is one of those unique individuals who bring so much more to the General Assembly than just another solid Republican vote," Griffith said.
May's withdrawal narrows the race for lieutenant governor to seven candidates. He is withholding his endorsement for now.
"It's an open race. There is no clear-cut leader," May said.
Sean Connaughton, the chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, is considered a front-runner for the Republican nomination. He honored May's decision.
"It has been an honor to have a fellow candidate of Joe's caliber in this primary race," Connaughton said.
May is facing opposition from Chris Oprison for his delegate's seat. Oprison is a Republican attorney from Leesburg making his first run for elected office.