Virginia Del. Patrick Hope, D-Arlington, has opted to run for reelection to the House of Delegates rather than make a bid for the state Senate seat to be vacated by retiring Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington.

“Having stated in the early weeks of March that I would only make a decision after having an opportunity to actually see the newly drawn 31st Senate District lines, I have reluctantly decided, at this time, not to run for the open Senate seat,” Hope said in a statement. “Running an effective campaign with the geographical diversity of the new district would take me away from spending quality time with my young family.”