Fairfax GOP Chair Eyes Steve Shannon's Seat

GOP officials say James E. Hyland, the chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Party, has emerged as the leading possible contender to be the party's nominee for Del. Steve Shannon's (D-Fairfax) House seat next year.

Shannon will likely give up his seat to run for Attorney General. His central Fairfax-District has been tough for Republicans in recent years, but GOP officials believe it is winnable next year if the current political environment starts shifting away from the Democrats once President-Elect Barack Obama takes office.

At the very least, by fielding a strong candidate, the GOP is sending a signal it plans to fight hard for several Democrat-held House seats in Fairfax and Loudoun counties to try to stall recent losses in the region.