Posted on 04/12/2009 3:54:20 PM PDT by freespirited
Republicans appear to have another repeat candidate in 2010, as former Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) has filed to reclaim the seat he lost in November.
Goode filed Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) — a move that allows him to raise money for the race — but he told The Hill that he hasn't made a final decision about running again in 2010.
He said he filed because he received several “unsolicited” campaign contributions.
Once a candidate receives $5,000, he or she must file a statement of candidacy with the FEC.
“I’m filing that because a few people have sent me donations,” Goode said.
Goode said he’s not sure when he’ll decide about a rematch and that he’s more concerned with helping the GOP win state assembly races this year.
Former Reps. Bill Sali (R-Idaho) and Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) have also filed to run for the seats they lost in 2008. While Chabot is all-in, Sali has not officially stated whether he will follow through with the campaign.
Goode’s loss was one of the more surprising defeats of the 2008 election. Young businessman Tom Perriello (D) emerged late in the cycle and upended Goode by fewer than 1,000 votes out of the more than 300,000 cast.
After a monthlong recount process, Goode conceded the race.
Much of the reason for his loss appeared to be extraordinarily high turnout in the Charlottesville area, which is home to the University of Virginia. The southern Virginia district has long been a conservative stronghold.
The way the Democrats are overreaching we should have some BIG gains in 2010.
C-ville is crawling with leftists and the area went big for Obama and any democrat running.
Despite that I think Goode lost by only 727 votes. IOW he was ACORNED out by a big student turnout. If the student turnout is off a little in 2010 and Goode’s longtime supporters dont succumb to voting for the incumbent, he should have a very good chance.
I read that Perriello has voted with the RATS 90% of the time. He’s giving Goode great ad material if he keeps that up.
Students voting on campus is a tough one.
I agree several GOPers got caught up in Obama’s machine. Most of the UVA students will not vote in 2010 or will vote in their home districts. Most of them were Northern Virginia contaminations who should have voted in NOVA. I may see if my rep can play around with the voting requirements for part-time residents.
Goode’s problem was that he ran a poor campaign. It shouldn’t have even been close.
McCain won the district by only 51%-48%, so it wouldn’t have taken much to cause trouble for Goode if he was running a bad campaign.
I’m wondering who will run in VA-2. Thelma Drake had one scare in 06 and got washed out in the Obama wave in 08. Maybe somebody new there?
Drake doesn’t appear to be a potential candidate again. Politics1 has 5 potential challengers to Glenn Nye:
Jeff McWaters (R) - Businessman
Will Sessoms (R) - Virginia Beach Mayor
Chuck Smith (R) - Attorney, GOP Activist & USMC Veteran
Ken Stolle (R) - State Sen., Attorney, Ex-Police Officer & Navy Veteran
Ron Villanueva (R) - Virginia Beach City Councilman
Chuck Smith is the only one to have officially declared. I can’t imagine Sessoms running, since he was just elected Mayor of VA Beach.
“Much of the reason for his loss appeared to be extraordinarily high turnout in the Charlottesville area, which is home to the University of Virginia. The southern Virginia district has long been a conservative stronghold.”
ACORN at work?
Drive home the fact that Obama is refusing to reform social security, refusing to fix medicare, and racking up $10 TRILLION in debt in his budget proposals. It adds up to making the young in this country hold the bag for Obama's fiscal irresponsibility.
Add to that the fact that obama's economic policies are not leading to jobs growth and you have a huge oppty to win back youth voters who were caught up in 'hope and change'.
“McCain won the district by only 51%-48%”
Yeah, but that is running 7% better than the average district for Republicans. In other words, if we are to have any hope of getting a majority again, we need that seat.
Any district that MCCain won should be a target seat.
Those students won’t turn out in a midterm.
I like Goode and Sali but they aren’t the strongest candidates to take back those seats.
Goode could probably get it back, but he needs to completely change his approach from the last election. Sali is more problematic, because the ID GOP establishment hates his guts and will do anything to sabotage him.
Goode should not have lost in the first. His lose surprised me.
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