Keith Hummel Suspends Campaign

Dr. Keith Hummel announced today the immediate suspension of his campaign as the Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District of Virginia. “Although I have always been open about my past financial difficulties, it is clear to me that they will become a distraction from the real issues at stake in this election,” he said.

“At this epic time in our nation’s history, the stakes are bigger than any one person, state, orparty,” explained Stephen Pierce, Hummel’s campaign manager. “I think Dr. Hummel is makinga very unselfish decision,” he said.

As a practicing Emergency Room doctor, Hummel campaigned on the platform of putting people first and his focused message on health care and the economy resonated with voters throughout the district.

“I have always said that I am an imperfect candidate. Unfortunately, our elections today revolv earound 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,” said Hummel.

“This was not an easy decision, but I cannot stand by and watch as those who seek to sabotage the promise of a new kind of politics use my financial history as a lever to fracture the hope for a better America,” he said.

Hummel, an emergency room doctor and small business owner is a long time resident of Westmoreland County. He has been married to his wife Penny for 35 years. Together they have raised five children. He entered politics for the first time this past February against a Republican incumbent who gained the house seat in a special election in December 2007.