Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Boucher Announces Re-election Bid

Looks like the "Fighting 9th" will have a fight afterall, as Rep. Rick Boucher will run for a 15th term.

I've got the feeling that a combination of ego, growing GOP strength in the district, and lack of any other willing candidates put Boucher in a position where he felt he had to run again, given that he was rumored to be considering retirement (though he denies this).

Boucher is listed as the 10th most powerful member of the House, which given his tenure, would make some sense. Though he voted against the health care bill and has an A+ rating from the NRA, he has voted for cap-and-trade, the stimulus package, TARP, and the Big Auto Bailout. This (especially the cap-and-trade bill, which he helped to craft) is putting him increasingly at odds with the overall philosophies of his constituents.

Also, given that he may be challenged by State House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, who is popular in the 9th, Boucher will most likely be in a fight, the likes of which he has not seen since he defeated Bill Wampler in 1982.

(h/t Virginia Virtucon)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Morgan Griffith is popular in the district?? Considering that he doesn't even live in the district, I find that hard to believe. I would be shocked if more than 20% of district voters have even heard of Griffith.