Sellinger Pulls Out of Race Against Bob Marshall

Exactly one week after announcing she was running for the 13th District Virginia House of Delegates seat, Donna Sellinger announced she was pulling out of the race completely.

“For personal reasons, I have decided that I will no longer be seeking election to the House of Delegates,”  Sellinger said in a statement released Wednesday evening by her press secretary, Liz Merrow.

 Sellinger was running against incumbent veteran Republican Del. Bob Marshall.

The 13th District covers Manassas Park and select areas of Prince William County such as Gainesville, where Sellinger lives.

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 “A great deal of consideration has gone into this choice, and I would like to thank my supporters and ask that they understand and respect my decision. I wish my opponent all the best for November,” Sellinger wrote.

 All contributions made to her campaign will be returned, according to the statement. 

 The announcement comes on the heels of a campaign kickoff for Sellinger held on Sunday in the Virginia Oaks community in Gainesville.

During her week in the race, Sellinger told several media outlets including the Gainesville Times that she was new to the political area.

She is at least the second person this year who backed out of the race for the 13th District.

 Patrick Casula said he intended to run as a Democrat for Marshall’s post and had the backing of local party members, but all that changed when Sellinger emerged.

 “ … I decided it wasn’t worth the inter-party fight only to go up against a 20-year incumbent,” Casula said in a March 14 interview with Patch.

Want more 13th District election news? Read Del. Marshall's reaction to criticism from a blogger and news of a political opponent. 

Bob Marshall Unfazed by 'Clownie' Title