Looks like Rep. Rick Boucher (D-9) can rest a little easier and enjoy his last term in congress by running unopposed.
Boucher, whose district voted heavily in favor of Gov-elect McDonnell this past election, was thought to be vulnerable because of his long incumbency (“throw the bums out” mentality amongst the electorate) and his votes in favor of the Obama stimulus and cap-and-tax.
But his most likely opponent, Del. Terry Kilgore, has told Virginia Politics that his seniority in Richmond and family is more important to him right now than running for Congress. And Kilgore also attempted put the stops on rumors of State Sen. William Wampler joining the fray by hinting that if the Senate does switch parties sometime in the next two years, Wampler has a good shot of becoming the next Finance Committee Chair, which Kilgore says Wampler couldn’t walk away from.
However, if you look towards 2012 – it will be a presidential campaign, Senator Jim Webb will have to face all sorts of scrutiny for his votes, and Boucher will likely have retired – the conditions look a lot better for a GOP pick-up in the 9th.
That all being said…who knows what the next month might turn up? There still could be a surprise challenger.
