Rep. Tom Garrett with the 5th Congressional District announced that he will not seek re-election to Congress and announced that he will receive treatment for alcoholism.

Garrett made the recent statement by video, standing in front of the Virginia Civil Rights Monument, which features Barbara Rose Johns, in Richmond. Garrett introduced legislation to create a statewide Barbara Rose Johns Day, which was celebrated for the first time April 23.

“I have represented the most historically significant district in our amazing nation,” Garrett said.

Garrett said in the video that any statement he has made during his campaign he has been honest about.

“Life is about priorities and values, and for the most part I am proud of that,” Garrett said.

He cited previous allegations of his campaign and family that he said have been “a series of half-truths and whole lies.”

Garrett said alcoholism had been the issue he had not been completely honest about.

“The tragedy is that any person who knows me, Republican, Democrat, Independent, whose known me for any period of time and has any integrity, knows two things: I am a good man, and I’m an alcoholic,” Garrett said.

“With this in mind, not for fear of losing or for lack of love for our great nation, today I am announcing that I will not seek re-election,” Garrett said. “Sometimes winning means knowing where your priorities should be. My devotion to the ideals and the belief of America has not wavered, but my commitment to being the best husband, father and friend means addressing the only truth that I have been heretofore unwilling to tell.”

Melvin Adams, chairman of 5th District Republican Committee, said in a statement that the committee, while upset at the announcement, supports Garrett’s decision to withdraw from the election. Adams said the committee is responsible for selecting a nominee to succeed Garrett.

“Congressman Tom Garrett has represented Virginia’s (5th) Congressional District well in the U.S. Congress, and we regret that he has chosen to remove himself from being our Nominee for the November election,” Adams said. “We respect and admire his decision to secure a better future for himself and his family. He has our full support through the remainder of his term. According to the Republican State Party Plan and the State Code on elections, it is the responsibility of Virginia’s 5th District Republican Committee to select a replacement nominee.”