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Joe Morrissey pulls out of Va. Senate race; provides doctor’s note

Posted at 11:54 AM, Sep 10, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-10 13:30:42-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- One week after he informed Virginia voters he planned to seek medical care for a paralyzed diaphragm, former Virginia Delegate Joe Morrissey announced Thursday he would end his bid for Virginia State Senate.

"After speaking with all of my health care providers, I have decided to withdraw from the State Senate race and focus on rehabilitating my diaphragm," an emailed Morrissey statement read. "For 3 ½ months, I have enjoyed going door-to-door and meeting with thousands of folks in Central Virginia. However, at this time, my primary concerns are my health and growing family. As the attached letter from my personal physician makes clear, I am 100% certain that I will fully rehabilitate my diaphragm and make a 100% recovery."

Joe Morrissey's doctor note

Joe Morrissey's doctor note

Morrissey planned to run for state senate as an Independent candidate after he failed to get on the Democratic Party primary ballot for the 16th District Senate seat. Morrissey gave up his 74th House of Delegates seat in order to run for the Senate.

"As I read in the Richmond Free Press this morning, Mr. Morrissey has ended his campaign and withdrawn from the race. I wish him well. I will continue to reach out to voters in my Senate district to earn their votes and support," Sen. Rosalyn Dance said.

Morrissey in the news

Morrissey held a press conference in May with the mother of his newborn baby to talk publicly about the couple’s relationship. Morrissey had recently revealed he was the father of Myrna Pride’s child. When Pride was 17-years-old she interned as a secretary at Morrissey’s law firm.

He later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge for having an inappropriate relationship with her, but because he entered an Alford plea, Morrissey did not admit he broke the law, only that there was enough evidence to convict him.

In March, Morrissey was released from jail after serving a 90-day sentence for contributing to the delinquency of a minor (Pride). He served his jail sentence at night, while representing the 74th House District in the Virginia General Assembly during the day.