Former Loudoun County Del. Dick Black has moved to Fredericksburg to join an uncertain and likely crowded field in the race to replace late Rep. Jo Ann Davis, who died Oct. 6 of cancer during her fourth congressional term.
The controversial conservative Republican whose avid anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage positions won him statewide attention is trying to jump-start a political career derailed by his 2005 loss to Democrat David Poisson.
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Citing a “loss of sense of direction” in his party, Black said his campaign would be about firming up conservative positions and stressing his legislative experience.
“I don’t lose track of our core principles of strong defense, low taxes, family values and I think that I can probably do a better job than anyone else,” said Black, who served eight years in Richmond.
As Black adjusts to a new home in the northern portion of the district, purchased after the congresswoman’s Oct. 6 death, he will have to face charges that he moved into the community for political gain.
Black said his 32-year military career will help him win over voters in the sprawling district that runs from the Quantico region of Prince William County down to the Hampton Roads community in southern Virginia. Black was a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and later was a reserve U.S. Army lawyer.
Black won’t lack for competition in the race, said 1st District Republican Party Chairman Jim Bowden, who is also believed to have designs on the seat.
Davis’ husband, Chuck Davis, is preparing to run and Bowden said five others have expressed interest in the seat.
Loudoun County Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, R-Sterling, had already committed to supporting another candidate, former 1st district candidate Paul Jost, when he learned about Black’s campaign.
But the crowded field is not the only uncertainty.
Gov. Tim Kaine has yet to set a date for the election and his spokesman Kevin Hall said the race may be delayed until early 2008 because of difficulty acquiring voting booths. In order to make a mid-December election, the state would have to import machines from neighboring states.
