House Editor David Wasserman releases a ratings change in the race to replace retiring Virginia Rep. Tom Davis (R) following Tuesday’s primary. With impressive ease, Fairfax County Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly (D) dispatched former Rep. Leslie Byrne (D) for the right to take on businessman Keith Fimian (R) in November.
Whereas Byrne’s reputation as a liberal warrior would have enticed Republicans to play heavily to keep the seat, Connolly’s strong ties to the Northern Virginia business community bode well for his party’s chances. The district’s pro-Democratic trend line, Connolly’s formidable political base, and Fimian’s name recognition deficit combine to make this the DCCC’s single best takeover opportunity in 2008.
VA-11 OPEN (Davis) Toss Up to Lean Democratic
In addition, polling data brought to the attention of The Cook Political Report since last week shows incumbent Republicans Mark Kirk (IL-10) and Steve Chabot (OH-01) with strong favorable ratings and their Democratic challengers with weaker than expected name ID. While we believe that both Kirk and Chabot, and for that matter Chris Shays (CT-04), would prevail in their races if elections were
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