Today comes news that William C. Mims (R-Loudoun), "will resign his seat in the Virginia General Assembly to become the lawyer in charge of day-to-day operations for fellow Republican Robert F. McDonnell." According to the Washington Post:
Prominent Loudoun politicians from both parties yesterday expressed interest in replacing Mims, in an election whose backdrop will be recent Democratic gains in a county that has been a traditional Republican stronghold.
One big question is whether or not Tim Kaine's victory in Loudoun, where he defeated Jerry W. Kilgore by over 2,500 votes, was a one-time deal or the start of a trend. Another is how effectively each party can coalesce around a nominee for the seat and get out the vote to elect that person. Who will the nominee end up being? According to the Loudoun Times-Mirror:,
On the Republican side, two names have surfaced: Supervisor Mick Staton (R-Sugarland Run) and Randy Minchew, Chairman of the Loudoun County Republican Committee. Staton is the son-in-law of Del. Dick Black, a Republican beaten in the last election.
And, on the Democratic side:
The first to officially launch a campaign: Democratic lawyer and former County Supervisor Mark Herring, who just moved into the district to run.[...]
His first opponent could be former Broad Run supervisor Chuck Harris, who has not declared but who is making rounds of the party.
Currently, Republicans control the Virginia Senate, with 24 seats in the 40-member body. This is a chance for the Democrats to reduce that to 23 seats. Can they do it? Discuss amongst yourselves.