Donley Will Not Seek Re-election to Alexandria City Council

7:10 p.m. update — Donley confirmed to Patch that he will not seek re-election in 2012.

“I have some health issues I need to deal with,” he said. “I am on medication for high blood pressure. … The timing isn’t great, but it is what it is.”

Donely said he needs to “take stress out” of his life and that his day job at Virginia Commerce Bank combined with his role as vice mayor and a City Council campaign was too much to take on.

“I’ve had a good 18 years on Council,” he said. “Time has come to put me and my health first.”

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Alexandria Vice Mayor Kerry Donley will not seek re-election to City Council in 2012.

Donley announced his decision in a Tuesday afternoon report on AlexandriaNews.org, citing a need to focus on his health and family.

News of the decision quickly spread on Twitter while Donley was participating in a joint work session between council and the planning commission concerning the city’s waterfront plan.

Alexandria Democratic Committee Chairman Dak Hardwick tweeted: “Warmest regards to my friend, Vice Mayor Kerry Donley, who is not seeking re-election. A true public servant who will be hard to replace.”

Other ADC members expressed surprise at Donley’s decision not to seek re-election.

Donley was the top vote-getter in 2009, earning the title of vice mayor. He was first elected to council in 1988 and became mayor in 1996 when Patsy Ticer was elected state senator in the 30th district.

Donley decided not to seek re-election as mayor in 2003, but jumped back into the fold in 2009.