State Senator Dick Black, who declared he would seek the 10th congressional district’s GOP nomination just last week, has made an about-face, and will not run. The reason? Quite simple: Senate math…
“[33rd district nominee John Whitbeck’s] loss leaves the Virginia Senate in a precarious 20-20 split, with the Lieutenant Governor as tie-breaker. Because of that, I am no longer able to leave the 13th District Senate Seat. Too much is at risk for Virginia, and I must not trigger another costly senate race by stepping down from my seat at this time.”
It is still an open question as to whether Democrats will seek to take control of the Senate’s committees. However, Black probably made a sound strategic move here. Senate Republicans will need every vote they can muster during the session and into 2015.
Did Wednesday’s mass endorsement of former Frank Wolf staffers of Del. Barbara Comstock’s bid for the seat play any role in Black’s decision? Eh, maybe at the margins. The pressure (that none dare call panic) of his Senate colleagues likely carried the day.
