United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia, 2008
Encyclopedia
The 2008 congressional elections in Virginia were held on November 4, 2008 to determine who would represent the state
of Virginia
in the United States House of Representatives
, coinciding with the presidential
and senatorial
elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress
from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011.
Virginia has eleven seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of eight Republicans
and three Democrats
. It is now five Republicans
and six Democrats
. Districts 2, 5 and 11 changed from Republican to Democratic, although CQ Politics had forecasted districts 2, 5, 10 and 11 to be at some risk for the incumbent party.
The Primary elections took place on June 10, 2008.
The District stretches along the eastern side of the commonwealth. Republican incumbent Rob Wittman
won against Democratic nominee Bill Day and Libertarian Nathan Larson. Wittman had only held the seat since January 2008, having won the Virginia's 1st congressional district special election, 2007
to succeed deceased Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis
. Larson is an accountant and self-described "anarcho-capitalist."
Analysts: CQ Politics
rates seat "safe Republican".
History: In 2006 Democrat Jim Webb
lost the district 44%–54% in his U.S. Senatorial election win. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine
lost the district by 46.4% to 50.8% in his gubernatorial election
win.
The District includes Virginia's two largest cities--Norfolk
and Virginia Beach
, and the Virginia portion of the Eastern Shore
. Republican incumbent Thelma Drake
lost to Democratic nominee Glenn Nye
, a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
in Washington, D.C.
, who served as a diplomat in Eastern Europe
, Kosovo
and Macedonia, Singapore
, Afghanistan
, the West Bank
, Gaza
and Iraq
.
In 2006, Drake survived a bid from Democrat Phil Kellam by only 51.27% to 48.45%. In 2004, Drake received 55% of the vote in this Virginia Beach-based district, which was won by George W. Bush with 57% to 42% for John Kerry in 2004. But in 2005 Democratic Governor Tim Kaine won the district by 50% to 47%. In 2006, Drake may have been hurt by the downfall of Republican U.S. Senator George Allen
, who narrowly lost to Democrat Jim Webb, an ex-Republican and former Navy Secretary under Ronald Reagan
. (Allen carried the district 51%–48%.)
Analysts: CQ Politics rated the seat "Leans Republican". The Cook Political Report
rated it "Republican Toss Up". The Rothenberg Political Report rated it as "Toss-Up/Tilt Republican". The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
considered Drake a "targeted Republican".
The District runs from Hampton Roads
to Richmond
. Democratic incumbent Robert C. Scott
won unopposed. The Republican Party of Virginia
did not listed any prospective opponent.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Democrat".
History: Scott won re-election with 96% of the vote in 2006. That year Democrat Webb carried 68% of the district in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 71% to 27% in his gubernatorial race.
The District lies in southeastern Virginia. Republican incumbent Randy Forbes
won against Democratic nominee Andrea Miller (campaign website).
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Republican".
History: Forbes won with 76% of the vote in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 45%–54% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 48.3% to 49.6% in his gubernatorial race.
The District lies in southern and central Virginia. Democratic nominee Tom Perriello
is the winner against Republican incumbent Virgil Goode
. A recount was conducted and Perriello was finally certified as the winner by 727 of 316,893 votes on December 17, 2008.
Analysts: CQ Politics rated the seat "Leans Republican". The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considered Goode a "targeted Republican", based partly on Perriello's early fundraising. On August 1, the DCCC named Perriello as one of its Red to Blue candidates.
History: Goode won re-election with 59% of the vote in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 45%–54% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 49.6% to 48.4% in his gubernatorial race. Goode originally won his seat as a Democrat in 1996, voted for President Clinton's impeachment
in 1998, became an Independent in 2000, and then joined the Republican Party in 2002. He became the first Republican to represent the district since 1889.
The District lies in western Virginia. Republican incumbent Bob Goodlatte
won against Democratic nominee Sam Rasoul (campaign website) and Independent Janice Lee Allen (campaign website).
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Republican".
History: Goodlatte won with 75% of the vote in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 40%–58% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 44% to 53% in his gubernatorial race.
The District runs from suburban Richmond to northwestern Virginia. Republican incumbent Eric Cantor
won against Democratic nominee Anita Hartke, daughter of former Indiana
Senator
Vance Hartke
.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Republican".
History: Cantor won by 64%–34% in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 42%–57% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 46% to 52% in his gubernatorial race.
The District lies in heavily suburban Northern Virginia
. Democratic incumbent Jim Moran
won against Republican nominee Mark Ellmore and Independent Green J. Ron Fisher.
In the June 10, 2008, primary elections, Moran defeated Matthew T. Famiglietti, with 87% of the vote. Ellmore won against Amit Singh, by 56% to 44%.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Democrat".
History: Moran won by 66%–31% in 2006. That year Democrat Webb won the district 69%–30% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 70% to 28% in his gubernatorial race.
The District covers much of Southwest Virginia
. Democratic incumbent Rick Boucher
won unopposed for re-election. The Republican Party of Virginia did not list any prospective opponent.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Democrat".
History: Boucher won by 68%–32% in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 44%–55% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 43% to 55% in his gubernatorial race.
The District lies in Northern and northwestern Virginia. It covers Loudoun
, Prince William
and parts of Fairfax
and Fauquier counties, as well as Manassas
.
Republican incumbent Frank Wolf won against Democratic nominee Judy Feder
and Independent Neeraj Nigam in the general election in November 2008. Feder defeated Mike R. Turner in the June 10, 2008, Democratic primary election by 62% to 38%. On the same day, Wolf faced Vern McKinley
in the Republican primary and won with 91% of the vote.
Independent Neeraj Nigam also ran in 2006 and received 0.77%.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "Republican favored". The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considers Wolf a "targeted Republican". On August 1, the DCCC named Feder as one of its Red to Blue candidates.
History: Wolf defeated Feder in 2006, 57% to 41%. That year Democrat Webb won the district 50.0%–48.8% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 50% to 46% in his gubernatorial race. In 2004 George W. Bush won 55% of this district.
Democratic nominee Gerry Connolly
, Chairman of the Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors, won against Republican nominee Keith Fimian
, a former CPA, and Independent Green candidate Joseph Oddo in this open seat race.
Republican incumbent Thomas M. Davis
announced his retirement on January 30, 2008. In 1994 Davis toppled one-term Democrat Leslie L. Byrne
and rarely faced serious opposition in intervening years. However, his district, located in the wealthy Northern Virginia
suburbs of Washington, DC, has become increasingly Democratic over the years and will definitely be a top Democratic target. George W. Bush barely won this district with 50% to 49% for John Kerry, which includes part of Fairfax
and Prince William
counties, in 2004.
Fimian has personal wealth that he can draw upon. So far he has self-financed $325,000 of his campaign funds.
Connolly won the June 10, 2008 primary with 58% of the vote, against Leslie L. Byrne (33%), Doug Denneny (6%), and Lori P. Alexander (3%).
Oddo is certified for the ballot. He favors light rail as an alternative to HOT lanes.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates seat "Democrat Favored". The Cook Political Report rates in "Likely Democratic". The Rothenberg Political Report scores it "Lean Democratic".
History: Davis won re-election 56%–44% in 2006. That year Democrat Webb won the district 55%–44% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 56% to 42% in his gubernatorial race.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
, coinciding with the presidential
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
and senatorial
United States Senate election in Virginia, 2008
The 2008 United States Senate election in Virginia was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John Warner decided to retire instead of seeking a sixth term...
elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress
111th United States Congress
The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. It began during the last two weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with the remainder spanning the first two years of...
from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011.
Virginia has eleven seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States Census. Its 2007-2008 congressional delegation consisted of eight Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and three Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. It is now five Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and six Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. Districts 2, 5 and 11 changed from Republican to Democratic, although CQ Politics had forecasted districts 2, 5, 10 and 11 to be at some risk for the incumbent party.
The Primary elections took place on June 10, 2008.
Match-up summary
| District | Incumbent | 2008 Status | Democratic | Republican | Independent Green | Libertarian | Other Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Virginia's 1st congressional district Virginia's first congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia. It is often referred to as "America's First District" as it includes Jamestown, the first English settlement in the New World... |
Rob Wittman Rob Wittman Robert J. Wittman is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district stretches from the fringes of the Washington suburbs to the Hampton Roads area... |
Re-election | Bill Day | Rob Wittman Rob Wittman Robert J. Wittman is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district stretches from the fringes of the Washington suburbs to the Hampton Roads area... |
None | Nathan Larson | None |
| 2 Virginia's 2nd congressional district Virginia's second congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It encompasses all of Accomack and Northampton Counties and the City of Virginia Beach and parts of the cities of Norfolk and Hampton... |
Thelma Drake Thelma Drake Thelma D. Drake was a Member of Congress of the Republican party from the state of Virginia. She was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in November 2004 to represent . She was defeated by Democrat Glenn Nye in 2008.Thelma Drake grew up in Ohio and attended Elyria High School... |
Re-election | Glenn Nye Glenn Nye Glenn Carlyle Nye III is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party... |
Thelma Drake Thelma Drake Thelma D. Drake was a Member of Congress of the Republican party from the state of Virginia. She was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in November 2004 to represent . She was defeated by Democrat Glenn Nye in 2008.Thelma Drake grew up in Ohio and attended Elyria High School... |
None | None | None |
| 3 Virginia's 3rd congressional district Virginia's third congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia. It covers all of the City of Portsmouth, parts of the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond, all of the counties of Charles City, New Kent, and Surry, and part of the... |
Robert C. Scott Robert C. Scott Robert Cortez "Bobby" Scott is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party.... |
Re-election | Robert C. Scott Robert C. Scott Robert Cortez "Bobby" Scott is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party.... |
None | None | None | None |
| 4 Virginia's 4th congressional district Virginia's fourth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the state of Virginia. It covers all or part of the counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Isle of Wight, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince George, Southampton, Sussex, and the cities of... |
Randy Forbes Randy Forbes James Randy Forbes is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:... |
Re-election | Andrea Miller Andrea Miller Andrea Miller is the founder and CEO of Tango, a media company focused on romantic love.Miller is a licensed private pilot and a co-head of the New York Chapter of 85 Broads.... |
Randy Forbes Randy Forbes James Randy Forbes is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:... |
None | None | None |
| 5 Virginia's 5th congressional district Virginia's fifth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia. It covers all or part of Greene, Campbell, Bedford, Albermarle, Nelson, Fluvanna, Buckingham, Cumberland, Appomattox, Prince Edward, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Franklin, Henry,... |
Virgil Goode Virgil Goode Virgil Hamlin Goode, Jr. , is an American politician, last serving as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented the 5th congressional district of Virginia from 1997 to 2009... |
Re-election | Tom Perriello Tom Perriello Thomas Stuart Price "Tom" Perriello is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes much of Southside Virginia and stretches north to Charlottesville.... |
Virgil Goode Virgil Goode Virgil Hamlin Goode, Jr. , is an American politician, last serving as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented the 5th congressional district of Virginia from 1997 to 2009... |
None | None | None |
| 6 Virginia's 6th congressional district Virginia's sixth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia. It covers all or part of Shenandoah, Rockingham, Highland, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Rockbridge, Botetourt, Roanoke and Amherst Counties. The current representative is Bob Goodlatte... |
Bob Goodlatte Bob Goodlatte Robert William "Bob" Goodlatte is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Roanoke and also includes Lynchburg, Harrisonburg and Staunton.-Early life, education and career:... |
Re-election | Sam Rasoul | Bob Goodlatte Bob Goodlatte Robert William "Bob" Goodlatte is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Roanoke and also includes Lynchburg, Harrisonburg and Staunton.-Early life, education and career:... |
None | None | Janice Lee Allen |
| 7 Virginia's 7th congressional district Virginia's Seventh Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The district is currently represented by Republican Congressman Eric Cantor, the current House majority leader, first elected in 2000.-Voting:... |
Eric Cantor Eric Cantor Eric Ivan Cantor is the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 7th congressional district, serving since 2001. A member of the Republican Party, he became House Majority Leader when the 112th Congress convened on January 3, 2011... |
Re-election | Anita Hartke | Eric Cantor Eric Cantor Eric Ivan Cantor is the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 7th congressional district, serving since 2001. A member of the Republican Party, he became House Majority Leader when the 112th Congress convened on January 3, 2011... |
None | None | None |
| 8 Virginia's 8th congressional district Virginia's Eighth Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The residents of the 8th District are currently represented by Democratic Congressman Jim Moran, first elected to the 8th's seat in the U.S... |
Jim Moran Jim Moran James Patrick "Jim" Moran, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1991. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located in Northern Virginia and includes the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria, all of Arlington County, and a portion of Fairfax County.Jim Moran was... |
Re-election | Jim Moran Jim Moran James Patrick "Jim" Moran, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1991. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located in Northern Virginia and includes the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria, all of Arlington County, and a portion of Fairfax County.Jim Moran was... |
Mark Ellmore | J. Ron Fisher | None | None |
| 9 Virginia's 9th congressional district Virginia's ninth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia, covering much of the southwestern part of the state. The 9th is Virginia's second-largest district in area, covering 8800.24 square miles . The current representative is Morgan Griffith... |
Rick Boucher Rick Boucher Frederick Carlyle "Rick" Boucher is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1983 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:... |
Re-election | Rick Boucher Rick Boucher Frederick Carlyle "Rick" Boucher is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1983 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:... |
None | None | None | None |
| 10 Virginia's 10th congressional district Virginia's Tenth Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The residents of the 10th District are currently represented by Republican Congressman Frank Wolf, first elected to the 10th's seat in the U.S... |
Frank Wolf | Re-election | Judy Feder Judy Feder Judith M. "Judy" Feder is a Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University and was Dean of the Georgetown Public Policy Institute from 1999 through 2007; she is a member of the Institute of Medicine.... |
Frank Wolf | None | None | Neeraj Nigam |
| 11 Virginia's 11th congressional district Virginia's Eleventh Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It comprises most of Fairfax County, all of the city of Fairfax, and part of eastern Prince William County... |
Thomas M. Davis Thomas M. Davis Thomas Milburn "Tom" Davis III was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Virginia's 11th congressional district in Northern Virginia. Davis was considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by five-term incumbent and fellow Republican John... |
Open | Gerry Connolly Gerry Connolly Gerald E. 'Gerry' Connolly is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th congressional district. He was first elected in 2008. Connolly is a member of the Democratic Party.... |
Keith Fimian Keith Fimian Keith Shawn Fimian is a businessman and politician in Virginia. He was the 2008 and 2010 Republican nominee for . Fimian lost both elections, the first by 12%, and the second by 0.4%.- Early life and education :... |
Joseph Oddo | None | None |
District 1
The District stretches along the eastern side of the commonwealth. Republican incumbent Rob Wittman
Rob Wittman
Robert J. Wittman is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district stretches from the fringes of the Washington suburbs to the Hampton Roads area...
won against Democratic nominee Bill Day and Libertarian Nathan Larson. Wittman had only held the seat since January 2008, having won the Virginia's 1st congressional district special election, 2007
Virginia's 1st congressional district special election, 2007
After the death of Republican Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis on October 6, 2007, a special election was required to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the 110th United States Congress. Governor Tim Kaine announced that the election would occur on December 11, 2007. The Republican and Democratic...
to succeed deceased Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis
Jo Ann Davis
Jo Ann Davis was a Representative in the U.S. Congress. A member of the Republican Party from the United States Commonwealth of Virginia, she represented the state's from 2001 until her death in 2007. She was the second woman—after Leslie L...
. Larson is an accountant and self-described "anarcho-capitalist."
Analysts: CQ Politics
Congressional Quarterly
Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
rates seat "safe Republican".
History: In 2006 Democrat Jim Webb
Jim Webb
James Henry "Jim" Webb, Jr. is the senior United States Senator from Virginia. He is also an author and a former Secretary of the Navy. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
lost the district 44%–54% in his U.S. Senatorial election win. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine
Tim Kaine
Timothy Michael "Tim" Kaine is a Virginia politician. Kaine served as the 70th Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010, and was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2009 to 2011...
lost the district by 46.4% to 50.8% in his gubernatorial election
Virginia gubernatorial election, 2005
The Virginia gubernatorial election of 2005 was a race for the Governor of Virginia, United States, held on November 8, 2005, and won by Democrat Tim Kaine. Virginia is the only state in the United States to prohibit governors from serving successive terms, so the popular incumbent, Mark R...
win.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
District 2
The District includes Virginia's two largest cities--Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
and Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
, and the Virginia portion of the Eastern Shore
Eastern Shore of Virginia
The Eastern Shore of Virginia consists of two counties on the Atlantic coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The region is part of the Delmarva Peninsula and is separated from the rest of Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay. Its population was 45,553 as of 2010...
. Republican incumbent Thelma Drake
Thelma Drake
Thelma D. Drake was a Member of Congress of the Republican party from the state of Virginia. She was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in November 2004 to represent . She was defeated by Democrat Glenn Nye in 2008.Thelma Drake grew up in Ohio and attended Elyria High School...
lost to Democratic nominee Glenn Nye
Glenn Nye
Glenn Carlyle Nye III is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
, a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, who served as a diplomat in Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
and Macedonia, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, the West Bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
, Gaza
Gaza
Gaza , also referred to as Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, with a population of about 450,000, making it the largest city in the Palestinian territories.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
In 2006, Drake survived a bid from Democrat Phil Kellam by only 51.27% to 48.45%. In 2004, Drake received 55% of the vote in this Virginia Beach-based district, which was won by George W. Bush with 57% to 42% for John Kerry in 2004. But in 2005 Democratic Governor Tim Kaine won the district by 50% to 47%. In 2006, Drake may have been hurt by the downfall of Republican U.S. Senator George Allen
George Allen (U.S. politician)
George Felix Allen is a former United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the son of former NFL head coach George Allen. Allen served Virginia in the state legislature, as the 67th Governor, and in both bodies of the U.S. Congress, winning election to the Senate in 2000...
, who narrowly lost to Democrat Jim Webb, an ex-Republican and former Navy Secretary under Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
. (Allen carried the district 51%–48%.)
Analysts: CQ Politics rated the seat "Leans Republican". The Cook Political Report
Cook Political Report
The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five...
rated it "Republican Toss Up". The Rothenberg Political Report rated it as "Toss-Up/Tilt Republican". The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield...
considered Drake a "targeted Republican".
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Drake (R-i) vs Nye (D) graph of poll results at Pollster.com
- Cirous, Greg Dems’ Dreams of Virginia House Seat Takeover Closer to Reality CQ Politics, October 12, 2008
District 3
The District runs from Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
to Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. Democratic incumbent Robert C. Scott
Robert C. Scott
Robert Cortez "Bobby" Scott is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
won unopposed. The Republican Party of Virginia
Republican Party of Virginia
The Republican Party of Virginia is the Virginia chapter of the Republican Party. It is based in the Richard D. Obenshain Center in Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia.- Organization and candidate selection :The State Party Plan...
did not listed any prospective opponent.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Democrat".
History: Scott won re-election with 96% of the vote in 2006. That year Democrat Webb carried 68% of the district in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 71% to 27% in his gubernatorial race.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
District 4
The District lies in southeastern Virginia. Republican incumbent Randy Forbes
Randy Forbes
James Randy Forbes is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
won against Democratic nominee Andrea Miller (campaign website).
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Republican".
History: Forbes won with 76% of the vote in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 45%–54% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 48.3% to 49.6% in his gubernatorial race.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
District 5
The District lies in southern and central Virginia. Democratic nominee Tom Perriello
Tom Perriello
Thomas Stuart Price "Tom" Perriello is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes much of Southside Virginia and stretches north to Charlottesville....
is the winner against Republican incumbent Virgil Goode
Virgil Goode
Virgil Hamlin Goode, Jr. , is an American politician, last serving as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented the 5th congressional district of Virginia from 1997 to 2009...
. A recount was conducted and Perriello was finally certified as the winner by 727 of 316,893 votes on December 17, 2008.
Analysts: CQ Politics rated the seat "Leans Republican". The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considered Goode a "targeted Republican", based partly on Perriello's early fundraising. On August 1, the DCCC named Perriello as one of its Red to Blue candidates.
History: Goode won re-election with 59% of the vote in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 45%–54% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 49.6% to 48.4% in his gubernatorial race. Goode originally won his seat as a Democrat in 1996, voted for President Clinton's impeachment
Impeachment of Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton, President of the United States, was impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice on December 19, 1998, but acquitted by the Senate on February 12, 1999. Two other impeachment articles, a second perjury charge and a charge of abuse of...
in 1998, became an Independent in 2000, and then joined the Republican Party in 2002. He became the first Republican to represent the district since 1889.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Goode (R-i) vs Perriello (D) graph of poll results at Pollster.com
District 6
The District lies in western Virginia. Republican incumbent Bob Goodlatte
Bob Goodlatte
Robert William "Bob" Goodlatte is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in Roanoke and also includes Lynchburg, Harrisonburg and Staunton.-Early life, education and career:...
won against Democratic nominee Sam Rasoul (campaign website) and Independent Janice Lee Allen (campaign website).
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Republican".
History: Goodlatte won with 75% of the vote in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 40%–58% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 44% to 53% in his gubernatorial race.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
District 7
The District runs from suburban Richmond to northwestern Virginia. Republican incumbent Eric Cantor
Eric Cantor
Eric Ivan Cantor is the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 7th congressional district, serving since 2001. A member of the Republican Party, he became House Majority Leader when the 112th Congress convened on January 3, 2011...
won against Democratic nominee Anita Hartke, daughter of former Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Vance Hartke
Vance Hartke
Rupert Vance Hartke was a Democratic United States Senator from Indiana from 1959 until 1977.-Early life, education, military service:...
.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Republican".
History: Cantor won by 64%–34% in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 42%–57% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 46% to 52% in his gubernatorial race.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
District 8
The District lies in heavily suburban Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
. Democratic incumbent Jim Moran
Jim Moran
James Patrick "Jim" Moran, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1991. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located in Northern Virginia and includes the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria, all of Arlington County, and a portion of Fairfax County.Jim Moran was...
won against Republican nominee Mark Ellmore and Independent Green J. Ron Fisher.
In the June 10, 2008, primary elections, Moran defeated Matthew T. Famiglietti, with 87% of the vote. Ellmore won against Amit Singh, by 56% to 44%.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Democrat".
History: Moran won by 66%–31% in 2006. That year Democrat Webb won the district 69%–30% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 70% to 28% in his gubernatorial race.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
District 9
The District covers much of Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia, often abbreviated as SWVA, is a mountainous region of Virginia in the westernmost part of the commonwealth. Southwest Virginia has been defined alternatively as all Virginia counties on the Appalachian Plateau, all Virginia counties west of the Eastern Continental Divide, or...
. Democratic incumbent Rick Boucher
Rick Boucher
Frederick Carlyle "Rick" Boucher is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1983 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
won unopposed for re-election. The Republican Party of Virginia did not list any prospective opponent.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "safe Democrat".
History: Boucher won by 68%–32% in 2006. That year Democrat Webb lost the district 44%–55% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 43% to 55% in his gubernatorial race.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
District 10
The District lies in Northern and northwestern Virginia. It covers Loudoun
Loudoun County, Virginia
Loudoun County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county is estimated to be home to 312,311 people, an 84 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fourth...
, Prince William
Prince William County, Virginia
-National protected areas:* Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge* Manassas National Battlefield Park* Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge* Prince William Forest Park-Government and politics:...
and parts of Fairfax
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
and Fauquier counties, as well as Manassas
Manassas, Virginia
The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county...
.
Republican incumbent Frank Wolf won against Democratic nominee Judy Feder
Judy Feder
Judith M. "Judy" Feder is a Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University and was Dean of the Georgetown Public Policy Institute from 1999 through 2007; she is a member of the Institute of Medicine....
and Independent Neeraj Nigam in the general election in November 2008. Feder defeated Mike R. Turner in the June 10, 2008, Democratic primary election by 62% to 38%. On the same day, Wolf faced Vern McKinley
Vern McKinley
Vernon P. "Vern" McKinley, born in East Chicago, Indiana advises governments on financial sector policy and legal issues. He was the Republican primary challenger to 28 year incumbent Congressman Frank Wolf in northern Virginia's in the 2008 elections...
in the Republican primary and won with 91% of the vote.
Independent Neeraj Nigam also ran in 2006 and received 0.77%.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates the seat "Republican favored". The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considers Wolf a "targeted Republican". On August 1, the DCCC named Feder as one of its Red to Blue candidates.
History: Wolf defeated Feder in 2006, 57% to 41%. That year Democrat Webb won the district 50.0%–48.8% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 50% to 46% in his gubernatorial race. In 2004 George W. Bush won 55% of this district.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
District 11
Democratic nominee Gerry Connolly
Gerry Connolly
Gerald E. 'Gerry' Connolly is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th congressional district. He was first elected in 2008. Connolly is a member of the Democratic Party....
, Chairman of the Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
Board of Supervisors, won against Republican nominee Keith Fimian
Keith Fimian
Keith Shawn Fimian is a businessman and politician in Virginia. He was the 2008 and 2010 Republican nominee for . Fimian lost both elections, the first by 12%, and the second by 0.4%.- Early life and education :...
, a former CPA, and Independent Green candidate Joseph Oddo in this open seat race.
Republican incumbent Thomas M. Davis
Thomas M. Davis
Thomas Milburn "Tom" Davis III was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Virginia's 11th congressional district in Northern Virginia. Davis was considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by five-term incumbent and fellow Republican John...
announced his retirement on January 30, 2008. In 1994 Davis toppled one-term Democrat Leslie L. Byrne
Leslie L. Byrne
Leslie Byrne is a former member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia, and was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from the Commonwealth of Virginia...
and rarely faced serious opposition in intervening years. However, his district, located in the wealthy Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
suburbs of Washington, DC, has become increasingly Democratic over the years and will definitely be a top Democratic target. George W. Bush barely won this district with 50% to 49% for John Kerry, which includes part of Fairfax
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
and Prince William
Prince William County, Virginia
-National protected areas:* Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge* Manassas National Battlefield Park* Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge* Prince William Forest Park-Government and politics:...
counties, in 2004.
Fimian has personal wealth that he can draw upon. So far he has self-financed $325,000 of his campaign funds.
Connolly won the June 10, 2008 primary with 58% of the vote, against Leslie L. Byrne (33%), Doug Denneny (6%), and Lori P. Alexander (3%).
Oddo is certified for the ballot. He favors light rail as an alternative to HOT lanes.
Analysts: CQ Politics rates seat "Democrat Favored". The Cook Political Report rates in "Likely Democratic". The Rothenberg Political Report scores it "Lean Democratic".
History: Davis won re-election 56%–44% in 2006. That year Democrat Webb won the district 55%–44% in his Senate race. In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine won the district by 56% to 42% in his gubernatorial race.
- Race ranking and details from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Fimian (R) vs Connolly (D) graph of poll results at Pollster.com
See also
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2008
- Virginia's congressional districtsVirginia's congressional districtsThe Commonwealth of Virginia has 11 congressional districts, down from its early 19th century peak of 23.-Apportionment:Elections held in the year of a census use the apportionment determined by the previous census....
External links
- Virginia State Board of Elections
- U.S. Congress candidates for Virginia at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- Virginia U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker
- Campaign contributions for Virginia congressional races from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...