Congressman Tom Davis is moving closer to running for the Republican nomination for Senate in 2008:
Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) edged about as close as one could this morning to announcing a candidacy for the Senate without actually doing it.
“Right now, all systems are go,” said Davis, appearing on WTOP Radio with political analyst Mark Plotkin, who pressed him on his intentions for the seat that will be vacated next year by the retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R).
But Davis added that there would be no formal declaration until November, out of what he called “respect” for the Virginia election season and the unsettled political situation inside the state GOP. Former governor James S. Gilmore III also has expressed an interest in the Republican nomination, asserting that Davis is too liberal for Virginia.
The unsettled situation Davis referred to is the issue of whether state Republicans will select a Senate nominee by convention or primary. Many state politicians say a convention will play to the disadvantage of the moderate Davis, because it would be top-heavy with conservative Christians and others from the party’s right wing.
Davis said he is lobbying the Republican Party of Virginia to hold a primary. The party is expected to resolve the issue next month.
He is also thought to be holding off on an announcement because his wife, State Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R-Fairfax), is locked in a tough reelection campaign with Democrat J. Chapman Petersen. Davis is devoting considerable time and resources to her cause.
The question is, if Devolites loses, what will Davis do ?
