Will He or Won't He?
The suspense continues to build about whether U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) will seek an eighth term representing Northern Virginia this year. Davis has said for months that he would announce a decision by the end of January. And here we are.
Despite media reports that Davis has decided to retire, he told WTOP this morning that he has not yet made a decision. Most observers believe retirement is the likelier of the two possibilities, but as a source close to Davis not authorized to speak for the congressman said today: "Anyone who says they know what Tom is doing knows more than Tom, because he hasn't made a decision yet."
A Davis retirement has all kinds of implications for the region. Most immediate is the likelihood that Gerald E. Connolly (D), chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, would upgrade his "exploratory campaign" to a full-fledged candidacy, facing off against fellow Democrats Leslie L. Byrne and Doug Denneny in what is sure to be an exciting and competitive primary contest.
Then there's the prospect of losing Davis's seniority in the House, where he is ranking minority member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and has taken a lead role pushing for D.C. voting rights.
Stay tuned. An announcement is nigh.
By Amy Gardner |
January 29, 2008; 12:27 PM ET
| Category:
Amy Gardner
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Election 2008/Congress
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Thomas M. Davis III
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Posted by: smokinmike | January 29, 2008 5:23 PM
The Democrats will only take over if the country goes majority minority. Davis is a good man and could take Northern Va. Gilmore can only win in the Southern part of the State. Warner is a millionaire. That will be the challenge.
Posted by: Joe | January 29, 2008 5:55 PM
As someone who votes mostly for democrats I really liked Tom's nononsense style. This will likely be a loss for Northern Virginia in the house. The only offices I could see him running for would be senator or governor. And he ruled out the former. Sad.
Posted by: Regis | January 29, 2008 9:46 PM
"...facing off against fellow Democrats Leslie L. Byrne and Doug Denneny..."
Amy, did you forget about Lori Alexander?
Posted by: Anonymous | January 29, 2008 10:08 PM
smokinmike is dead-on. We will see Tom again, especially if Mark Warner leaves Senate to take on John McCain in 2012.
Posted by: renegade | January 30, 2008 12:13 AM
It would be a big blow to Northern Virginia if Tom Davis decides to retire. He has been the most dynamic public servant our region has known for the past 15 years. He recognized early on the importance of a healthy center city in the District and how it's rise or fall impacted Northern Virginia. Tom Davis cannot be replaced.
Posted by: Fairfax | January 30, 2008 8:52 AM
The District should be paved over
Posted by: Falls Church | February 3, 2008 4:15 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I'm betting he won't. He's smart enough to not be run over by on-coming Democratic take-over. He'll go for the private sector to cash in and then, in four or six years, evaluate his chances for a Senate run.