United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia, 2008

In 2008, all 11 members of Virginia's delegation to the United States House of Representatives will be up for re-election to the 111th United States Congress. This will coincide with the presidential and senatorial elections. The Primary election took place on June 10, 2008. Currently, Virginia's congressional delegation consists of eight Republicans and three Democrats.

The races not forecasted as safe for the incumbent party are districts 2, 5, 10 and 11.

District 1

The District stretches along the eastern side of the commonwealth. Republican Rob Wittman is running for re-election against Democrat Bill Day and Libertarian Nathan Larson. Wittman has 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 a software engineer and self-described "anarcho-capitalist." [http://nathanlarsonforcongress.com/]

Analysts: "CQ Politics" rates seat "safe Republican".cite web |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-house |title=Balance of Power Scorecard: House |work=CQ Politics |accessdate=2008-07-25 Note, the percentages are incorrectly rounded.]

History: In 2006 Democrat Jim Webb lost the district 44%–54% in his U.S. Senatorial election win.cite web |url=http://www2.sbe.virginia.gov/web_docs/Election/results/2006/Nov/htm/d_02.htm |title=General Election- November 8, 2005 |publisher=Virginia State Board of Elections |accessdate=2008-05-18 Official senatorial results by congressional district.] In 2005 Democrat Tim Kaine lost the district by 46.4% to 50.8% in his gubernatorial election win.cite web |url=http://www2.sbe.virginia.gov/web_docs/Election/results/2005/nov2005/html/d_03.htm |title=General Election- November 8, 2005 |publisher=Virginia State Board of Elections |accessdate=2008-05-18 Official gubernatorial results by congressional district.]
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-01 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA01&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

District 2

The District includes the Virginia Beach, nearby urban areas and the Eastern Shore. Republican incumbent Thelma Drake is being challenged by Democratic nominee Glenn Nye, a diplomat.

In 2007, Drake survived a bid from Democrat Phil Kellam by only 51.3% to 48.5%. cite web |url=http://www2.sbe.virginia.gov/web_docs/Election/results/2006/Nov/htm/index.htm |title=General Election- November 6, 2006 |publisher=Virginia State Board of Elections |accessdate=2008-05-18 Official results.] 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" rates the seat "Republican favored". The "Cook Political Report" rates it "Lean Republican".cite web |url=http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/house/chart.php |title=2008 Competitive House Race Chart |publisher=Cook Political Report |accessdate=2008-05-18 ] The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considers Drake a "targeted Republican".cite web |url=http://dccc.org/page/content/races_south |title=2008 Races
publisher=Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee |accessdate=2008-05-18 ]
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-02 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA02&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org
* [http://www.pollster.com/polls/va/08-va-02-ge-dvn.php Drake (R-i) vs Nye (D)] graph of poll results at "Pollster.com"

District 3

The District runs from Hampton Roads to Richmond. The incumbent Democrat Robert C. Scott is running for re-election. The Republican Party of Virginia has not listed any prospective opponent.cite web |url=http://www.rpv.org/candidates |title=2008 Candidate Rosters |publisher=Republican Party of Virginia |accessdate=2008-05-18 ]

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.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-03 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA03&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

District 4

The District lies in southeastern Virginia. The incumbent Republican Randy Forbes is facing Democrat Andrea Miller ( [http://www.andreamiller.us/ 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.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-04 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA04&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

District 5

The District lies in southern and central Virginia. Republican Virgil Goode is running for re-election against Democrat Tom Perriello.

Analysts: "CQ Politics" rates the seat "Republican favored". [ [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-05 Race to Watch: U.S. House, Virginia - 5th District] "CQ Politics] The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee considers Goode a "targeted Republican",based partly on Perriello's early fundraising. [cite news |url=http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/national_democratic_party_added_goode_periello_race_to_target_list/8141/ |title=National Democratic Party added Goode–Periello race to target list |first=Ray |last=Reed |work=The News & Advance |publisher=(via WSLS-TV) |date=2008-04-02 |accessdate=2008-05-18 ] On August 1, the DCCC named Perriello as one of its Red to Blue candidates.cite web
title=DCCC adds six to Red to Blue
last=Blake
first=Aaron
publisher=TheHill.com
date=2008-08-01
url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dccc-adds-six-to-red-to-blue-2008-08-01.html
accessdate=2008-08-01]

History: Goode won re-election with 59% of the vote in 2006. That year Democrat Weed 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.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-05 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA05&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org
* [http://www.pollster.com/polls/va/08-va-05-ge-gvp.php Goode (R-i) vs Perriello (D)] graph of poll results at "Pollster.com"

District 6

The District lies in western Virginia. The incumbent Republican Bob Goodlatte is facing Democrat Sam Rasoul ( [http://www.samrasoul.us/ campaign website] ) and Independent Janice Lee Allen ( [http://www.allenforcongress.com 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.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-06 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA06&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

District 7

The District runs from suburban Richmond to northwestern Virginia. The incumbent Republican Eric Cantor is facing Democrat 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.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-07 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA07&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

District 8

The District lies in heavily suburban Northern Virginia. The incumbent Democrat Jim Moran faces Republican 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. [https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2008/0FAE817B-0A55-4793-B013-7C90AFF6C2E5/Unofficial/6_s.shtml 2008 June Democratic Primary Unofficial Results] , Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved on 2008-06-11.] Ellmore won against Amit Singh, by 56% to 44%. [https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2008/1F04BDCA-048C-407E-9518-82294DEC67C5/Unofficial/6_s.shtml June Republican Primary Unofficial Results] , Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved on 2008-06-11.]

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.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-08 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA08&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

District 9

The District covers much of Southwest Virginia. The incumbent Democrat Rick Boucher is running for re-election. The Republican Party of Virginia has not listed 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.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-09 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA09&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

District 10

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 will face Democrat Judy Feder and Independent Neeraj Nigamcite web | url=http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Cidate_Information/Cidate_Lists/CidatesList-Results.asp?ED=11/4/2008&ET=General&LOC=ALL&OFF=Member%2BHouse%2Bof%2BRepresentatives&PTY= | title=Tuesday, November 04, 2008 General Elections: Candidates [House of Representatives] | publisher=Virginia State Board of Elections | accessdate=2008-07-20 ] in the general election in November 2008. Feder defeated Mike R. Turner in the June 10, 2008, Democratic primary election by 62% to 38%. [ [http://www.nbc4.com/news/16568764/detail.html Connolly, Wolf, Moran Win Primaries] , WRC, 2008-11-06.] 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.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-10 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA10&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org

District 11

In this open seat race, the Republican candidate is Keith Fimian, a former CPA. The Democratic candidate is Gerry Connolly, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Independent Green candidate is Joseph Oddo.

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. [cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/25/AR2008042503347.html |work=The Washington Post |title=Contenders Reach to the Left in House Race in Va. |first=Amy |last=Gardner |date=2008-04-26 |accessdate=2008-05-19 ] 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%). [ [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/10/politics/politico/thecrypt/main4171067.shtml Connolly Wins Dem Nomination For Davis' Seat] , CBS News, 2008-06-10.]

Oddo is certified for the ballot. He favors light rail as an alternative to HOT lanes.

Analysts: "CQ Politics" rates seat "leans Democratic". The "Cook Political Report" rates in "Republican toss up". The "Rothenberg Political Report" scores it "lean Democratic".cite web |url=http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com/2008/05/2008-house-ratings_23.html |title=2008 House Ratings |work=Rothenberg Political Report |date=2008-05-23 |accessdate=2008-05-23 ]

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.
* [http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=district-VA-11 Race ranking and details] from CQ Politics
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA11&cycle=2008 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets.org
* [http://www.pollster.com/polls/va/08-va-11-ge-fvc.php Fimian (R) vs Connolly (D)] graph of poll results at "Pollster.com"

ee also

* United States House of Representatives elections, 2008
* Virginia's congressional districts

References

External Links

* [http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ Virginia State Board of Elections]
* [http://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=VA&go33.x=7&go33.y=11 U.S. Congress candidates for Virginia] at Project Vote Smart
* [http://www.2008racetracker.com/page/Virginia Virginia U.S. House Races] from "2008 Race Tracker"
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/races/election.php?state=VA Campaign contributions for Virginia congressional races] from OpenSecrets.org