Congressional News

First District Congressional Race

Governor Tim Kaine has set a special election for Tuesday, December 11 for the voters in the First Congressional District to select a successor to the late U. S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis. Republicans have indicated that they will nominate a candidate at a convention which will be held on November 17 at Gloucester High School. No Democrat has yet announced his or her intention to seek the Congressional seat.

Because voting machines will not be available so soon after the November general election, voters will cast old-fashioned paper ballots on December 11. The First Congressional District includes all or a portion of 18 counties (Caroline, Essex, Fauquier, Gloucester, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Prince William, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Westmoreland, and York) and all or a portion of five cities (Fredericksburg, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg).

Chuck Davis, the widower of the late Congresswoman, has announced his intent to run for the seat. Other Republicans include former Del. Richard H. Black (formerly of Loudoun County) and Del. Robert Wittman, of Westmoreland.

U. S. Senate Seat

Congressman Thomas M. Davis, III announced this week that he will not seek election for the U. S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator John Warner. Warner announced on August 31 that he would not seek re-election, and his retirement will be effective January 9, 2009. Former Governor Mark R. Warner announced his candidacy for the Senate seat on September 13.

Likely facing former Governor Warner for the Senate seat will be former Governor James S. Gilmore, III. Gilmore has not formally announced his candidacy, but is expected to do so after the November 6 election. For more information on the upcoming battle of the former governors, see today’s Times-Dispatch article.

Posted by Ellen Davenport