The 2010 congressional elections in Virginia were held November 2, 2010, to determine who will represent the state of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 112th Congress from January 2011 until January 2013.
Primary elections were held on June 9, 2010. After a poor showing in 2008, the Republican Party made significant gains and defeated three Democratic incumbents. Republicans would go onto hold a majority of House districts in Virginia until 2018.
Democratic incumbent Glenn Nye was challenged by Republican businessman Scott Rigell[13] and Independent Kenny Golden (site[permanent dead link], PVS), a retired NavyCommodore.[14][15]
Rigell won the Republican primary election over four other businessmen: Ed Maulbeck, Ben Loyola, Army Brigadier General Bert Mizusawa, former Navy SEAL turned local business owner Scott Taylor,[16][17] and Jessica Sandlin, a single mother of 5 native to Virginia Beach. Bert Mizusawa raised more money than any candidate in the last two periods, and was considered a frontrunner. Businessman Rigell was the other frontrunner, receiving major endorsements from Thelma Drake, and Bob McDonnell's daughter.[18]
Democratic incumbent Bobby Scott was challenged by Republican nominee former JAG Chuck Smith (campaign site, PVS) of Virginia Beach, Libertarian James Quigley (campaign site, PVS) of Hampton, and Independent John Kelly (campaign site, PVS).[15][19]
Scott has run unopposed in five of the last six elections in what is considered a "safe" Democratic district. The district's current configuration dates to 1993, when the Justice Department ordered Virginia to create a majority-minority district.
Republican incumbent Randy Forbes was challenged by Democratic nominee Wynne LeGrow of Emporia. Forbes retained his seat by beating his Democratic challenger by earning 62% of votes cast.[20]
Forbes was first elected to the House in 2001 to fill a vacancy caused by the death of ten-term Democratic Congressman Norman Sisisky. Forbes defeated Democratic State Senator Louise Lucas 52-48% that year. He ran unopposed by Democrats in 2002 and 2006.
Incumbent DemocratTom Perriello was challenged by RepublicanRobert Hurt, state Senator from Chatham,[21] and independent Jeffrey A. Clark (campaign site, PVS), a businessman from Danville.[22]
In 2008, Perriello defeated Republican incumbent Virgil Goode. Goode did not seek a rematch in 2010,[23] although he said several Conservative groups asked him to run on a pro-Tea Party ticket, due to their dissatisfaction with the Republicans.[24]
Hurt won the primary election over six other candidates: Republican activist Feda Kidd Morton, private real estate investor Laurence Verga, Albemarle County Supervisor Ken Boyd, businessman Ron Ferrin, Jim McKelvey from Franklin County, and Michael McPadden.[25] Perriello faced no opposition in the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Republican Congressman and U.S. House Minority WhipEric Cantor sought a sixth term and faced no primary opposition. Rick Waugh (campaign site, PVS) was the Democratic nominee, and Floyd C. Bayne (campaign site, PVS) was the Independent Greens of Virginia and Tea Party supported candidate. Tea Party-supported independent candidate Herb Lux (campaign site) had his emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court turned aside on October 1, 2010, and so did not appear on the ballot.[40]
Democratic incumbent Jim Moran was challenged by Republican nominee Jay Patrick Murray, a retired United States ArmyColonel,[41][42] and Independent Green Party nominee Ron Fisher (campaign site, PVS), a retired U.S. Navy captain.
Moran ran for re-election for an 11th term, and faced no primary opposition. Former Republican primary candidates were:
Democratic incumbent Rick Boucher was challenged by Republican nominee Morgan Griffith, the Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates, and Independent Jeremiah Heaton (campaign site, PVS), a U.S. Army veteran, farmer and businessman.[49]
Boucher, who had represented the district since 1983, was unopposed on the Democratic side. On the Republican side, Griffith was selected by a convention held on May 22, 2010, at Fort Chiswell High School in Max Meadows. Delegates to the convention were selected by 23 local committee mass meetings held between February 25 and April 29.[50][51] Other Republican candidates for the nomination were:
Republican incumbent Frank Wolf was running for re-election for a 16th term. He was challenged by Democrat Jeff Barnett (campaign site, PVS) and Libertarian William Redpath.
Wolf was unopposed on the Republican side. Barnett won the Democratic primary election against Richard Anthony[57] and Julien Modica.[58]
Former candidates were:
Dennis Findley (D) - McLean resident and architect[59]
Jim Trautz (R) - Loudoun County resident and former naval officer[60]
The district, located in northern Virginia, includes some Washington, D.C. suburbs, but extends far west and north along the border of Maryland and West Virginia. In most Presidential elections of the past few decades, the district has been won by Republican candidates. The most recent exception is the 2008 election when Democratic then-Senator Barack Obama won the district, and became the first Democrat since Johnson to win Virginia's electoral votes. Republican Governor Mitt Romney won the district 2012, but President Obama again won Virginia.
Democratic incumbent Gerry Connolly faced Republican Keith Fimian, who lost to Connolly in 2008. Also on the ballot were Libertarian David L. Dotson (campaign site, PVS),[61] Independent Green David William Gillis Jr. (campaign site, PVS), and Independent Christopher F. DeCarlo (campaign site, PVS).[15]
Connolly was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Fimian won against Pat Herrity in the Republican primary election,[62][63] beating him 56%-44%, with 35,890 votes cast.[64]
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