Ten Biggest Political Events Of 2007 That Will Influence Future Election Cycles

10. Jim Webb sworn in as U.S. Senator. This is was the third consecutive year of a major statewide loss for Republicans. Will Jim Webb be able to influence the 2008 Senate election? Will Mark Warner even need the assistance?

9. Governor Jim Gilmore runs for President. This short lived and low funded campaign ended earlier this year. It was pretty surprising to hear that he was throwing his hat in the ring, not to surprising when he withdrew. Will this race change anything for his fortunes in 2008?

8. Creigh Deeds announces that he will be running for Governor in 2009. This very premature announcement comes before two major elections for Democrats. As well, Creigh still has 2 more sessions to sit through as a Senator before he is even on the Democratic Primary ballot. Will this damage democrats in 2008 if they can’t even get there own to help each other with there own elections?

7. Ed Gillespie (former RNC Chairman) resigns as RPV chairman to take job at White House. Leaving in January, a contentious battle ensued fpr the Chairmans seat. Former Lieutenant Governor John Hager won the seat with 1 vote at a State Central meeting in July. Who can tell what would have happened if the vote had gone the other way for Charlie Judd, RPV’s Executive Director.

6. Tricia Stall beats Marty Williams in the June Primary. Everyone knows what happened here.

5. Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis passes away.

4. After a close convention in Caroline County, Rob Wittman narrowly defeats Paul Jost to win the nomination for the 1st congressional district. Wittman beats Phil Forgit in a blowout to keep the seat red.

3. In one of the most expensive state senate primaries to ever happen on the face of the earth, Joe Blackburn almost defeats former Senate Majority Leader, Walter Stosch. In an extremely close race, Stosch is able to hold onto his seat in the primary but is stripped of his dignity. Stosch lost all his political capital to hold his seat. This most likely will be this RINO’s last term.

2. Democrats win the State Senate by 1 seat. Democrats managae to take down Jay O’Brien, Nick Rerras, and Jeannemarie Devolites Davis. Senator Ken Cuccinelli narrowly holds his seat- a major victory for conservatives!

1. Tied. Tom Davis loses important RPV State Central Committee vote that determines that RPV will hold a convention instead of a primary to nominate the next candidate for US Senate. Jim Gilmore gains a large advantage with this decision being the favored candidate in a convention setting. Tom Davis announces that he will not seek the Senate Seat. He still has 3 more days to make his intentions clear for his House seat.

1. Tied. Chap Petersen beats Jeannemarie Devolites Davis to become State Senator. So long Jeannemarie.