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Hummel |
By Chelyen Davis
RICHMOND--
The Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional district is suspending his campaign, the first step toward withdrawing from the race entirely.Dr. Keith Hummel, of Montross, said in a statement that he is suspending his campaign because his past financial difficulties have overshadowed his campaign message.
Those past financial difficulties include three bankruptcy filings, in 1992, 1997 and 2003.
While the first two were not immediately available at the federal bankruptcy court in Richmond, filings from Hummel's 2003 bankruptcy--which was settled in 2007--show he owed more than $700,000 to 47 creditors. The bulk of that was a $550,000 house, where Hummel runs a vineyard, and several vehicles.
Hummel had a medical practice in Westmoreland County for a time. More recently, his office said he was practicing as an emergency room physician in Stuart, which is in the Southside area of Virginia.
"I have always said that I am an imperfect candidate," Hummel said in his statement yesterday. "Unfortunately, our elections today revolve around narrow and simplistic assessments of viability. Under such circumstances, it is little wonder that the politics of personal attack and destruction turn the mistakes of the past into harbingers of the future with little understanding that the brutal lessons learned through our life's struggles are valuable ingredients for successful leaders."
Hummel said he had wanted to run a campaign on "putting people first" and improving health care and the economy.
But he said he decided it was in the best interests of the Democrats if he stepped aside.
Jared Leopold, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Virginia, said Hummel's suspension of his campaign is different from withdrawing from the race, although it's generally a first step toward doing so.
Should Hummel withdraw entirely, the 1st District Democrats will have to decide who, if anyone, to nominate in his place.
Suzette Matthews, the chairwoman of the 1st District, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The Republican candidate is incumbent Rep. Rob Wittman, also of Westmoreland County. Wittman won the seat in a special election last year, and is filling out the term of the late JoAnn Davis, who died of cancer last fall. He must run again in the general election in November.
Craig Ennis, an independent from Stafford County, is also on the ballot. He ran unsuccessfully for a House of Delegates seat last fall.
Chelyen Davis: 804/782-9362
Email: cdavis@freelancestar.com
