Will Marshall run for U.S. Senate in Va. again?

Del. Bob Marshall, who almost beat former governor Jim Gilmore for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in 2008, is considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2012, several sources tell us.

In his first run for statewide office, Marshall was outspent by nearly 8 to 1. But a coalition of antiabortion and anti-tax activists, libertarians and some moderate Republicans from Northern Virginia backed Marshall over Gilmore, who won the nomination by less than one percentage point. Democrat Mark Warner handily defeated Gilmore.

Marshall, one of the most conservative legislators and a staunch opponent of abortion rights, acknowledged today that "a lot of people" have asked him to run but that right now he's concentrating on state issues.

He said he plans to run for re-election for his Prince William County seat in the House of Delegates next year.

George Allen, the former Republican governor and senator, continues to stay active in political circles and is considering a run against Democratic Sen. Jim Webb. There has even been some talk about Ed Gillespie, the former counselor to President George W. Bush, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, and most recently, chairman of Gov. Bob McDonnell's gubernatorial campaign last year. (Gillespie didn't rule out anything but he did say he would back his good friend, George Allen, if he decides to run.)