Stolle to seek sheriff's post

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Veteran Sen. Ken Stolle says he plans to leave the General Assembly and run for sheriff of Virginia Beach.

The 54-year-old Republican told The Virginian-Pilot on Friday that the sheriff's position will be a "huge new challenge."

Stolle has served in the state Senate since 1992 and is minority leader pro tem. He said he planned to filed his candidate paperwork Friday.

He also told the newspaper that he has Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder that can impair motor skills. Stolle said the disease made him re-evaluate his priorities but it wasn't a major factor in his decision.

The former Virginia Beach police officer said he wants to return to law enforcement.