Frank Wolf to Retire from Congress, Focus on Humanitarian Work

U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., announced Tuesday that he is retiring after 34 years in Congress to focus on humanitarian work in the United States and abroad.

The dean of the Virginia congressional delegation will not seek an 18th term in 2014, leaving an open seat that is sure to be hotly contested.

Wolf said in a statement that he considers it an honor and a privilege to have served constituents in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

“As a follower of Jesus, I am called to work for justice and reconciliation, and to be an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves," Wolf stated. "I plan to focus my future work on human rights and religious freedom – both domestic and international – as well as matters of the culture and the American family. My passion for these issues has been influenced by the examples of President Ronald Reagan, former Congressmen Jack Kemp and Tony Hall, Chuck Colson, and the life of 18th century Member of Parliament William Wilberforce."

President Barack Obama carried Virginia's 10th Congressional District in 2008, though Republican Mitt Romney narrowly took it in 2012, according to the Huffington Post.

Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust, a McLean Democrat, already has announced his intention to seek his party's nomination for the seat. Richard Bolger, a small business owner and attorney in Fairfax, also has announced he will seek the Democratic nomination.

At least three Republicans have been mentioned as potential successors to Wolf, according to the Washington Post — state Del. Barbara Comstock, R-McLean, state Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel of Winchester and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, who switched parties in 2012 after an unsuccessful bid for governor of Alabama two years prior.

Davis moved to Northern Virginia in 2010 to join a Washington law firm, but has since become a fellow at Harvard's Institute of Politics, according to the Associated Press. He has reportedly been mulling a run for the Virginia General Assembly or Congress since at least January.

A June poll of Republicans of whom they would favor to replace Wolf should he retire showed no clear frontrunner, according to the Daily Caller.

Wolf was first elected in 1980 and has represented all or parts of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier, Clarke, Frederick, Warren, Shenandoah, Rockingham, Rappahannock and Page counties, along with the cities of Winchester, Manassas and Manassas Park.

“I want to thank the many excellent former and current members of my staff who have helped me serve the people of the 10th District," Wolf said in his statement. "I am also grateful to my wife, Carolyn, and my family, who have faithfully stood by me all these many years.”

Pat Mullins, chairman of the state Republican Party, said in a statement he always referred to Wolf as "my congressman," even though he didn't live in Wolf's district.

"One of the many things that I admired about Frank was the fact that he steadfastly refused to do any campaigning or political events on Sunday. That was his day to worship and to be with his family," Mullins stated. "He is one of the most honest and devout people it has ever been my privilege to know. He believed and practiced that the two most important things in his life were his God and his family."

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., in a statement called Wolf a "tireless and leading advocate for religious freedom around the world." He praised Wolf's bipartisan work on transportation and job creation legislation and called him a "reliable ably" in deficit and debt issues.