2010 Virginia's 8th congressional district election

Last updated

Virginia's 8th congressional district election, 2010
Flag of Virginia.svg
  2008 November 2, 2010 2012  
  James Moran Official Congressional Portrait.jpg
Candidate Jim Moran Jay Patrick Murray
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote116,29371,108
Percentage61.01%37.31%

VA-8th District-109.gif

Representative before election

Jim Moran
Democratic

Elected Representative

Jim Moran
Democratic

Virginia's 8th congressional district election, 2010 was an election held to determine who would represent Virginia's 8th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives during the 112th Congress. The seat contested is located in Northern Virginia, and includes part of Fairfax County, the city of Alexandria, and all of Arlington County. Since 1990, the 8th district had been represented by 10-term Democratic incumbent Jim Moran. [1]

Contents

Background

Campaign signs Moran vs. Murray (5141729756).jpg
Campaign signs

The district is represented currently by Jim Moran, a former mayor of Alexandria and Democrat, who won the 8th congressional district in 1990 and has been reelected in every election since. The district usually favors Democratic candidates. In the 2000 presidental election, the district was won by Democrat Al Gore. In the 2004 presidential election, it was won by Democrat John Kerry. In the 2008 presidential election, it was won by Democrat Barack Obama. Moran has defeated every Republican challenger in large victories.

One Democrat, Ronald Mitchell, filed to challenge Moran for the Democratic nomination and raised over $9,000, [2] but failed to collect the minimum number of signatures required to be placed on the ballot [3] and Moran was nominated. [4] The Republican Party nomination was contested by attorney and former Federal Communications Commission general counsel Matthew Berry and retired U.S. Army Colonel Patrick Murray. [5] Several other candidates had announced their intent to run, including 2008 nominee Mark Ellmore, but they all dropped out at different times, leaving the race to Berry and Murray. Murray narrowly won the June 8th Republican primary by a margin of 52%-48%. [6] [7]

Independent Green candidate and retired U.S. Navy Captain Ron Fisher was also on the ballot in 2010. [8] He took two percent of the popular vote in 2008, and received 2,700 (1.41%) in 2010. [9]

Candidates

Democratic nomination

Republican nomination

Results

Republican Primary results [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican J. Patrick Murray7,13651.74
Republican Matthew B. Berry6,65448.25
Total votes13,790 100

Polling

SourceDates AdministeredJim Moran (D)Patrick Murray (R)Undecided/Other
Pollster unavailable, results via the Washington Post October 201058%31%11%
McLaughlin & Associates September 201045%32%23%

General election

Campaign

The 8th district election received national attention in October 2010 because of remarks Moran made at a meeting of the Arlington County Democratic Committee on October 6, 2010:

What [Republicans] do is find candidates, usually stealth candidates, that haven't been in office, haven't served or performed in any kind of public service. My opponent is typical, frankly.

Moran defended his performance as a member of congress, saying in an interview with The Washington Post that "The message is that our unemployment rate is half what it is in the rest of the country. We've been judged the best place to ride out the recession... We have the strongest economy in the country, so we don't want to do a whole lot different than what we've been doing." He also attacked his opponent's views on social issues; saying that Murray's opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage was "out of the mainstream in Northern Virginia". [13]

Fundraising

Candidate (Party)ReceiptsDisbursementsCash On HandDebt
Jim Moran (D)$1,312,117$1,376,173$424,891$0
Patrick Murray (R)$446,468$442,922$3,546$45,000
Source: Federal Election Commission [14]

Results

Virginia's 8th congressional district election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jim Moran 116,29361.0
Republican Patrick Murray 71,10837.3
Independent Greens J. Ron Fisher2,7041.4
Other Write-in candidates 4920.2
Total votes233,368 100
Turnout 233,368 of 476,01149.0
Democratic hold

Moran easily won reelection on November 2, 2010; despite Republicans taking over the House of Representatives and several other Virginia Democratic incumbents losing their races. In his victory speech Moran said that "The politics of divisiveness and fear have gained ground on hope. We can make no mistake: the next two years are going to be very difficult". Moran also took a few final jabs at his defeated opponent, saying that the combined "lack of civic engagement" and "extremist Tea Party views" doomed Murray's candidacy.

Patrick Murray left open the possibility of another run in his concession speech: "We fought the best fight that's ever been fought in a very tough district, I think what we have here is a huge movement. So what we did is built a foundation, and we'll be back."

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Moran</span> American politician (born 1945)

James Patrick Moran Jr. is an American politician who served as the mayor of Alexandria, Virginia, from 1985 until 1990, and as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 8th congressional district, including the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria, all of Arlington County, and a portion of Fairfax County) from 1991 until 2015.

The Independent Greens of Virginia was the state affiliate of the Independence Party of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It became a state party around 2003 when a faction of the Arlington local chapter of the Green Party of Virginia (GPVA) split from the main party. As of 2011, it bills itself as a "fiscally conservative, socially responsible green party", with an emphasis on rail transportation and "more candidates". In support of wider ballot participation, it endorses many independent candidates who are not affiliated with the party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Texas's 22nd congressional district elections</span>

The 2006 Texas 22nd congressional district election for the 110th Congress was held on November 7, 2006, and attracted considerable attention because this district was represented by former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a prominent member of the Republican Party, who resigned after being indicted and subsequently winning the Republican primary. Because of Texas state law, Republicans, in order to hold on to the seat, would have had to win a write-in campaign, something that has only been done four other times in the history of U.S. congressional elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Ebbin</span> American politician from Virginia (born 1963)

Adam Paul Ebbin is an American politician who is the senator from the 39th District of the Virginia Senate since January 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented the 39th Senate District from 2012 to 2024 and served in the Virginia House of Delegates from the 49th District from 2004 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Virginia gubernatorial election</span>

The 2009 Virginia gubernatorial election took place in Virginia on November 3, 2009. The incumbent Governor, Democrat Tim Kaine, was not eligible to run due to term limits established by the Virginia Constitution, though others in the state's executive branch were not restricted. Republican Bob McDonnell was elected as Governor as part of a Republican sweep. Republican Bill Bolling was reelected as lieutenant governor, and Republican Ken Cuccinelli was elected as attorney general. The winners were inaugurated on January 16, 2010, and served until January 11, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia</span>

The 2008 congressional elections in Virginia were held on November 4, 2008 to determine who would represent the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential and senatorial elections. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. Primary elections were held on June 10, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Virginia elections</span>

The following offices were up for election in the United States Commonwealth of Virginia in the November 2009 general election:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 West Virginia elections</span>

West Virginia's 2012 general elections were held on November 6, 2012. Primary elections were held on May 8, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia</span>

The 2010 congressional elections in Virginia were held November 2, 2010, to determine who will represent the state of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 112th Congress from January 2011 until January 2013.

Matthew B. Berry is an American Republican Party politician and attorney. He challenged Patrick Murray in the 2010 Republican primary election in Virginia's 8th congressional district, a Congressional seat in Northern Virginia then held by 10-term Democratic incumbent Jim Moran. He was defeated narrowly by Murray in a June 8 primary. He is now serving as the General Counsel to the House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Virginia's 11th congressional district election</span>

An election was held on November 2, 2010, to determine who would represent Virginia's 11th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives during the 112th Congress. The seat that was contested is located in Northern Virginia, and includes most of Fairfax County, all of the city of Fairfax, and part of eastern Prince William County. Democrat Gerry Connolly first won the seat in 2008. The Republican nominee was Keith Fimian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina</span>

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the 13 U.S. representatives from the state of North Carolina. The elections coincided with the U.S. presidential election, N.C. gubernatorial election, statewide judicial elections, Council of State elections and various local elections. Primary elections were held on May 8, 2012; for races in which no candidate received 40 percent of the vote in the primary, runoff elections were held on July 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia</span>

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the 11 U.S. representatives from Virginia, one from each of the state's 11 congressional districts. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 113th Congress from January 2013 until January 2015. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election, and a U.S. Senate election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfonso H. Lopez</span> American politician

Alfonso Hoffman Lopez is an American politician, former Obama administration official, and member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He has served in the House of Delegates since January 2012, representing the 49th district, which includes parts of southern Arlington and eastern Fairfax Counties, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the 11 members from the state of Virginia to the United States House of Representatives, one from each of the state's 11 congressional districts. On the same day, elections took place for other federal and state offices, including an election to the United States Senate. Primary elections, in which party nominees were chosen, were held on June 10, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 West Virginia gubernatorial election</span>

The 2016 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect the Governor of West Virginia, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on May 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia were held on November 8, 2016, to elect a U.S. representative from each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as House of Representatives elections in other states, U.S. Senate elections and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on June 14.

Daniel Isaac Helmer is an American politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party. In 2018, he lost the Democratic primary for Virginia's 10th congressional district. In 2019, he successfully ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in district 40, defeating Republican incumbent Tim Hugo. The majority of the pre-redistricted 40th district's population and landmass was located in Fairfax County with a small part in Prince William County. Helmer currently represents the 10th district post-redistricting, which is located entirely in Fairfax County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Virginia gubernatorial election</span>

The 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2021, to elect the next governor of Virginia. The election was concurrent with other elections for Virginia state offices. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ralph Northam was ineligible to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms. Businessman Glenn Youngkin won the Republican nomination at the party's May 8 convention, which was held in 37 polling locations across the state, and was officially declared the nominee on May 10. The Democratic Party held its primary election on June 8, which former Governor Terry McAuliffe easily won.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States presidential election in Virginia</span>

The 2020 United States presidential election in Virginia was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, as part of the 2020 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Virginia voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, incumbent President Donald Trump, and running mate Vice President Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, and his running mate California Senator Kamala Harris. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in the Electoral College.

References

  1. Benton, Nicholas (November 2, 2010). "Moran Claims Victory, Tells Backers 'A Difficult 2 Years Lie Ahead'". Falls Church News-Press .
  2. FEC Records -- Ronald Mitchell [ permanent dead link ]
  3. 1 2 McCaffrey, Scott (April 16, 2010). "In the 8th, GOP Primary Is a Go, Democratic One Is a No". The Arlington Sun Gazette. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2010.
  4. "Democrats Choose Three For Fairfax Congressional Races". Fairfax County Democratic Committee. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  5. Trompeter, Brian (May 25, 2010). "At Convention, 8th District Republican Contenders Take Aim at Moran". The Arlington Sun Gazette. Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  6. "Virginia State Board of Elections Results -- June 8, 2010 Primaries". Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  7. Lewis, Bob; Stabley, Matthew (June 8, 2010). "Fimian, Murray Take Va. GOP Nominations". WRC-TV .
  8. Schumitz, Kali (May 19, 2010). "Republicans vie for chance to unseat Moran in election". The Fairfax Times. Archived from the original on May 24, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  9. "November 2, 2010 General and Special Elections Unofficial Results". Archived from the original on November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  10. "Ellmore Out of Hunt in 8th District GOP Race". The Arlington Sun Gazette. March 7, 2010. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  11. 1 2 McCaffrey, Scott (January 26, 2010). "5 Republicans Now in Running to Challenge Rep. Moran". The Arlington Sun Gazette. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  12. "2010 June Republican Primary Unofficial Results". Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  13. Pershing, Ben (October 18, 2010). "Moran won't stray from winning ways". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  14. "2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Virginia". fec.gov. Retrieved February 15, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
Official campaign sites