State Sen. Chuck Colgan might not seek re-election

Longtime state Sen. Chuck Colgan, D- Prince William, this week told several of his colleagues he has all but decided not to run for office in 2011.

"I doubt I'll seek re-election," Colgan, 83, said today.

He is the Senate's senior member, having served in the chamber since 1976. Only Del. Lacey Putney, I-Bedford, who has been in the House of Delegates since 1962, has more overall seniority among current General Assembly members.

Colgan's reason for leaving is a prostate cancer diagnosis he received roughly two years ago. Radiation treatment wasn't effective, but medication has helped even though it makes him feel bad, he said.

"I'm on the mend," Colgan told The Virginian-Pilot in a brief interview, "but if my health isn't good, I'm not going to run."

This is not the first time Colgan has entertained retirement thoughts. In the past, he was convinced to run again by governors and fellow legislators.

Given that history, Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw isn't convinced Colgan will conclude his career next year.

"Chuck's an institution," said Saslaw, a Fairfax County Democrat who also came to the legislature in 1976. "And the guy's in fabulous shape."

A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps and the Air Force, Colgan later founded an aviation company, Colgan Air. He served four years on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors before he was elected to the state legislature.

Colgan said he is leaving "the door open a crack" but isn't planning to seek re-election.

"You know, when you're 83 you ought to be thinking about quitting," he said with a laugh.

Julian Walker, 804-697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com