Davis's Plans Stir GOP Anxiety (Davis, R-VA-11th District, Considering Retirement)

Washington Post ^ | Michael D. Shear and Brian Faler

[nj26]

Is Virginia Rep. Thomas M. Davis, a fixture in Washington area politics for two decades, casting his eyes on greener pastures?

Davis, a Fairfax County Republican who is considered one of the top strategists in the House GOP caucus, is a political junkie whose love for the minutiae of elections is surpassed only by his obsession with baseball statistics. So most people have assumed he'd have to be dragged kicking and screaming away from his job as chairman of the House Government Reform Committee.

But several sources in both parties in Virginia and on Capitol Hill said they are hearing that Davis is a candidate to head the National Federation of Independent Business, one of the nation's leading lobbying organizations. Its president and chief executive, Jack Faris, announced his retirement in March, and a search for a new leader has been underway since then....

Davis, who makes about $158,000 a year as a member of the House, recently married Jeannemarie Devolites (R), a state senator in Virginia. While buzzing about Davis's future, the professional speculators yesterday wondered aloud whether she might run for his old seat.

Reached on his cell phone Wednesday, Davis denied that there is anything old about his seat. "I'm not going anywhere," he said. But he pointedly declined to say whether he had been in talks with the NFIB. "I'm running for reelection, if that's what your question is," he said. "But stay tuned."...

But Republican sources said Sens. George Allen and John W. Warner have been urged by GOP operatives to talk sense into Davis -- reflecting the anxiety that the party could lose the seat to a Democrat if Davis bolts. His district, which includes central Fairfax and parts of Prince William County, has been competitive in the past.

[nj26]

I believe that this would be a challenging district to retain.

[Coop]

This is right in line with what my "source" told me several weeks back.

[Coop]

FYI

[ken5050]

Only the WP.... obsessed with the Beltway mentality, prints the spouse's party affiliation in a wedding announcement..

[Coop]

Not likely.

[Coop]

Fine. Just be prepared to get a real liberal in his place.

Davis has a 2nd Amendment problem, but he's also a loyal and dedicated Republican. I've seen his staff and resources very active in electing other Pubbies, including some that would be much more to your liking.

[Gabz]

Not being familiar with the gentleman, I bow to the more knowlegeable amongst VA FReepers on this...........

[IGOTMINE]

I've heard this guy on 630 (back when I used to listen) screeching about more pay and more benefits for government workers. He's hosed me on the 2nd Amendment. He's used his position to hold a Star Chamber on baseball.

I attended one of his town meetings in 2000. Typically evasive, very slick. I won't miss him.

[Coop]

Like I said, just be prepared to accept the consequences. I'm no Davis fan, but people around here tend to latch onto the "Remove the RINO" bandwagon rather quickly.

[jmaroneps37]

The last time around, Tom Davis squeaked in with only 83% of the vote. For those who want to worry go right ahead. This is another example of the ratmedia telling us we have a problem. I have never been to Tom's district unless you count driving through it at 75 mph. Nevertheless, I do understand politics. There is simply no district in the country where the number of "I vote for the man , not the party" voters is soooooo great that a new person of either party could overcome an 83/17 margin. Bobby Rush was elected with "only" 81%. Does that mean if he stepped down, a Republican could take that seat?
Unless an "under the radar" absolutely unprecedented shift of population has taken place in Va 11, it will not be a problem to hold that seat.

[Cathy]

Davis' wife is a politician too - I think she was either FFX Cty Board of Supervisors or State Legislature. They both divorced their spouses of many years to get married. It was a tad scandalous.

[Corin Stormhands]

He's the most liberal Republican elected in the state of Virginia. I'd rather take my risks.

I'm no Tom Davis fan. But the fact is only a RINO can hold that seat.

[ken5050]

ah, thanks....

[Cathy]

BTW - your tag line is hilaroius and I think my husband would agree - however I am not offering his services!

[IGOTMINE]

If we don't kill a few RINO's more will leave the herd. Sorta like shooting looters at the outset :)

[AuH2ORepublican]

I'd be surprised to see Tom Davis retire, only because I assumed he wanted to run for the Senate in 2008 (either for Warner's seat if Warner retires or for Allen's seat if Allen becomes President or VP).

This district gave Bush 52% in 2000 but only 50% in 2004. It will be a very competitive district if and when Davis retires. Davis thinks he's soooo good at redistricting, yet he drew an 11th CD that he knew would become a prime Dem takeover opportunity the second he stepped down, not to mention the fact that he kept Boucher nice and safe in his district.