This is one of the last “News From The Coffin Corner” columns that will be published in the News-Press, as I was not re-nominated as the Democratic standard bearer in last week’s primary.

A Long Run

This is one of the last “News From The Coffin Corner” columns that will be published in the News-Press, as I was not re-nominated as the Democratic standard bearer in last week’s primary.

My name will not be on the ballot this November, but I will continue to represent the 38th District in the House of Delegates until my term expires next January.

I was sworn into office in the Old House Chamber in the Capitol of Virginia at noon on January 4, 1993, nine days before that year’s session began.

I have written this column in this newspaper since I started serving in the General Assembly. At 12:01 p.m. on January 4, 2009, I began my 17th year as an elected official.

Last week, I issued a statement to the News-Press and excerpts of it were printed. The following is the full statement.

Thank You

It has been an honor and a privilege for me to have represented the people of the 38th district for the past 17 years. I appreciate all of the support that my constituents have shown me through nine prior elections.

Although I came up short in Tuesday’s close primary challenge, I am buoyed by the fact that I received a majority of votes in most of the communities in the 38th district.

I was heartened to have had the endorsements of the Falls Church News-Press and The Washington Post in this election and the support of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia PAC, the Virginia House Legislative Black Caucus, the Virginia Partisans, Senator Dick Saslaw, and many others.

I have always felt close to this district because I have lived in or adjacent to it my entire life. My first governmental service began in 1974 as an appointed member of the Fairfax County Tree Commission.

Over the years, I have worked to preserve Black history through state grants for the Tinner Hill Memorial, I have worked to honor the Vietnamese-American Heritage Flag and the struggles of the Vietnamese people, I have worked to stimulate trade between Israel and Virginia and to honor the State of Israel, I have sponsored the “Fight Terrorism” license plate, I have spoken out against unfair criticism of Muslims in my district, I obtained the authority to build the Virginia Tech/University of Virginia Northern Virginia Center, I have worked for affordable housing and many other things.

In my years of service, I have fought to protect the civil rights, human rights, reproductive rights and civil liberties of all of the people, and I have always been sensitive to how a governmental action might adversely affect the average person. I will not abandon the causes that the people of the 38th district hold dear and the ones that we have fought for together. Now, I must find a way to do so as a private citizen.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you.

Delegate Hull represents the 38th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He may be e-mailed at delrhull@state.house.va.us