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Republican Del. Jimmie Massie announced Saturday that he will not seek re-election to the Virginia General Assembly this year, creating an opening in the suburban western Henrico County district he has represented for nearly a decade.

Massie, a businessman who has represented the 72nd House of Delegates district since 2008, announced the decision Saturday afternoon on Facebook, calling his time in the House of Delegates “the greatest honor of my professional life.”

“After a tremendous amount of prayer, numerous consultations and deep thought, I have decided not to seek re-election this year,” Massie wrote. “This was a very tough decision!”

Massie has been mentioned as a possible GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate in the 2018 matchup with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., but his statement gave no indication of any future political plans.

In a brief phone interview Saturday night, Massie said he had spent the first two quarters of his life taking care of his family and the third in public service.

“I really don’t know what the fourth quarter will hold,” Massie said. “I do not have any specific plans at this time. I’m going to take some time off and keep my options open and evaluate all my options.”