Va. Democrats Seek to Narrow Gap in House

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

As Virginia voters cast ballots today in the state's 11 Congressional races, Democrats hoped to narrow the Republicans' 8-3 advantage in the House.

The seat left open by the retirement of Republican Thomas M. Davis III in a district that includes most of Fairfax County and parts of Prince William County, offered a prime opportunity for Democrats to gain ground. Democrat Gerald E. Connolly (D), chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, faced Republican Keith S. Fimian, a successful business owner who lacks the name-recognition of his opponent.

Democrats looked to Connolly's popularity as well as the changing demographics of Northern Virginia, which has increasingly trended blue, to support an 11th District win. That shift, coupled with President Bush's drop in popularity and frustration over the war in Iraq, made Virginia a key swing state in the Presidential contest.

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Across the state, GOP incumbents Thelma D. Drake in the 2nd District and Virgil H. Goode Jr. in the 5th District were in competitive races with Democrats Glenn C. Nye and Tom S. P. Perriello, respectively. In two other contests, Democratic incumbents were unopposed.

In another closely watched Northern Virginia race, popular 14-term Republican incumbent Frank R. Wolf faced Democrat Judith M. Feder for the second time. Feder, a nationally known health care expert and former dean of Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute, launched a failed bid to unseat Wolf in 2004.

In Virginia's 8th District, nine-term Incumbent Democrat James P. Moran ran against low-profile newcomer Republican Mark W. Ellmore.

Republican incumbents sought reelection in contested races in four other House seats. In a district that includes parts of Prince William and Fauquier counties, Republican Robert J. "Rob" Wittman hoped to keep the seat he won in a rare December special election held after Rep. JoAnn S. Davis (R) died of breast cancer. He faced Democrat Bill S. Day, Jr. and Libertarian Nathan D. Larson.

Tagged: elections, Judy Feder, November 2008 Elections, politics, U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf

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