Democrat Senator Jim Webb Will Not Run for Re-election in 2012

from Swampland at Time, written by Jay Newton-Small:

“Senator Jim Webb, a Virginia Democrat, announced today he won’t run for a second term. Webb’s decision not to engage in a rematch with former Senator George Allen, whom Webb beat in 2006 by less than half of 1% of the vote, blows open the field for Democrats. Virginia went for President Obama in 2008 53% to John McCain’s 46% but just a year later Republican Bob McDonnell won the governor’s mansion by a whopping 17-point margin and in 2010 midterm elections Dems lost half their Old Dominion congressional seats.

Virginia will be a top priority for President Obama’s reelect in 2012, which means Dems will be pressed to find a top tier replacement for Webb ASAP. Former Governor Tim Kaine, who now heads the Democratic National Committee, said last month that he would not run if Webb chooses to retire. Kaine himself was vague, saying in a statement only that he’s confident Dems will hold the seat in 2012. The three Dems unseated last November, freshmen Tom Perriello and Glenn Nye and 14-term veteran Rick Boucher, could be considered as they have name recognition and proven fundraising abilities. Boucher, in particular, has the strongest resume having represented a fairly Republican district (Cook R+10) for 28 years.

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Patty Murray was quick to point out that the state isn’t a shoo-in for the GOP: Allen must first weather a primary and Richmond Tea Party leader Jamie Radtke has already declared her candidacy. Other potential GOP candidates include popular Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, former Gov. Jim Gilmore and Rep. Rob Wittman. “As Republicans face a brutal primary between a flawed Washington establishment candidate and a right-wing extremist who is raising money at a good clip, Democrats will field a strong candidate,” Murray said in a statement. “The 2012 Virginia Senate race will be competitive but Democrats will prevail there just like we did in 2006 and 2008.”

Still, the retirement increases GOP chances at taking back the seat as incumbents are generally harder to beat. It also makes it harder for Dems to hold the majority in the Senate which they control with 53 seats. The retirements of Connecticut’s Joe Lieberman and, particularly, Kent Conrad of North Dakota together with Webb’s announcement today makes 2012 an increasingly tough and expensive year to defend for Senate Dems.”

Read more: http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2011/02/09/webb-decides-to-call-it-a-day/#ixzz1DVBJk0F0