Losing Virginia to Barack Obama two years ago still stings for the Old Dominion’s Republican establishment. But almost as embarrassing was the turnover of congressional seats in districts once thought safe.
With the 2010 midterm elections approaching, the economy still sluggish and deep public divisions over the president’s performance, the GOP is looking to oust the delegation of freshman Democrats. And they are eying the southwestern 9th District, home of long-time Democratic Rep. Rick Boucher.
While some political observers see the Republican jubilance as overblown, challengers — a mix of tea party upstarts and establishment Republicans — have been clambering for their party’s nomination.
“We’ve been told by the folks at the Republican National Committee we might have the most winnable seats of any state in the United States,” said Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Pat Mullins. “They’re definitely on a national level looking at Virginia, and know there’s a great possibility we could pick up four seats in November.”
