University of Virginia Library

Van Clief Will Not Seek Re-Election To House,
Finds 'Burdens Of Legislator' Too Great

By ELIZABETH JOHNSON

Del. Daniel Van Clief
(D-Albemarle Co.) will not
seek re-election to the Virginia
House of Delegates this Spring.
He also said that he wouldn't be a
candidate for the House in the
Fall.

"I find the burdens of a
legislator too many to allow
sufficient attention to my
work and family," the 47 year
old chairman of the
pari-mutual betting study
commission said in a statement
released Saturday.

"This is an election year for
House members and running
for office takes a great deal of
time," he continued. "The
time has come to cut back a
little."

Breeds Thoroughbred Horses

Mr. Van Clief, who breeds
thoroughbred horses on his
3,500-acre farm near Esmont,
emphasized that his decision
does not represent permanent
retirement from politics. "I
may seek public office again.
When you realize how much
good can be accomplished in
public service, you can never
turn your back permanently on
politics."

Mrs. Van Clief said
Monday, however, that her
husband presently has no
definite plans. "He has such a
load right now. He just had to
get out and tend to personal
business. I don't know how
long it will take him."

Sponsored Pari-Mutual Bill

During the recently
adjourned session of General
Assembly Mr. Van Clief
vigorously sponsored the
pari-mutual betting bill. He
called for killing the measure
when it became apparent that
the House of Delegates would
not approve it.

He also succeeded in getting
the study commission
continued for another year.

"He has gotten the
groundwork laid and is still
chairman of the committee,"
said Mrs. Van Clief. The bill
will probably brought up
again and I'm sure he'll be
down there coaching them.
Maybe he can organize it better
from the outside."

After an unsuccessful
campaign for a House seat in
1963, Van Clief won a special
election in 1968. He currently
represents the 26th
District, composed of
Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna
and Rockingham counties and
the city of Charlottesville.

Will Remain Democrat

Although he says "I am and
will remain a Democrat, he is
continuing to endorse the
candidacy of former Gov Mills
E. Godwin. "He is the same
great Virginian, no matter what
political party endorses him."

Both of Charlottesville's
other delegates expressed
regret that Mr. Van Clief had
decided to retire. Del. Thomas
J. Michie (D-Charlottesville)
said Mr. Van Clief has served
people well for a number of
years. It was not a surprise
though. He had said earlier that
he would not run."

Del. J. Harry Michael
(D-Charlottesville) said he
believed that Mr. Van Clief had
done a superb job. "I am
disappointed to see him leave,
but I can understand his
reasons."