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We have made continuous updates to our Taking Back The House series and I have created a master database of all the races we have highlighted and links to all the prospective Democratic candidates. We continue to edit it as news on races emerge and we hope you follow it. For the master list, please click here.
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Well, I wasn’t planning on releasing a new Taking Back The House chapter today but certain extenuating circumstances meant that I had to take the plunge.
Those circumstances? The announcement that longtime Republican Rep. Frank Wolf would retire and not run for another term in Virginia’s 10th congressional district. Since Wolf is no longer in the race, I think its best that we sort of shift from our standard format of Taking Back The House to reflect the importance of this open race and why we can do it.
District Facts:
- Virginia’s 10th district resides in the northern part of the state and includes Manassas.
- Frank Wolf has represented this district, which has become very purple and competitive over the years, since 1980. His personal popularity made him a harder to beat candidate even though the demographics weren’t exactly FULLY in his favor.
- This district went for Barack Obama in 2008 though Mitt Romney won it in 2012 by a 50-49 margin.
Our Candidate:
- Rest assured the Democrats have a pretty good candidate in Fairfax County supervisor John Foust though with Wolf’s announcement, I wouldn’t be shocked if some ambitious Democrats look at the race. Foust though must have had some inside information though and he would’ve been Wolf’s most credible challenger in quite some time.
Why We Can Win This:
- Well, this is not a slam dunk district and in fact will be a dogfight. However, this has to be one of the main congressional races to watch in 2014 because if the Democrats have ANY shot at winning the House in 2014; this seat has to be won. Its highly important and critical to future electoral success.
- Another thing to watch for is who the Republicans nominate with some speculation resting on former Democratic Rep. Artur Davis who switched parties and states (served in Alabama) with the possible intent of another run for office. Not sure how a carpetbagger/party flipper will go over in this district though.
- The main candidates for the Republican Party to watch out for are Barbara Comstock, a former Wolf aide and state Delegate, and state Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel.
Links You Oughta Check Out:
- John Foust’s Facebook page
- John Foust’s Twitter account
- John Foust’s campaign site