In making his announcement, Black said his decision to run for the seat is based on the strong support and urging of many friends in the First Congressional District of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The 1st Congressional District seat became available with the tragic passing of Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis, Virginia’s first female representative in the U.S. Congress.

Black is a decorated Marine who headed the Pentagon’s Army Criminal Law Division where he was responsible for military justice throughout the Army. In 1998, Black was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. During his four terms, he authored key legislation including: Providing $200 Million to build highway interchanges, expanding heart and lung coverage under Workers’ Comp, prohibiting abortions on minors without their parent’s consent, expanding 2nd Amendment rights, and tightening bail for sexual predators.

Black is considered one of Virginia’s most consistently conservative members of the General Assembly. He served on Committees on Courts, Transportation, Education, and Elections and helped elect over 30 Public Officials to House, Senate and local offices throughout Virginia–including three Delegates in the 1st Congressional District.

Black For Congress ‘07

Not being from Virginia I have never heard of the guy, but he has some pretty solid ratings from conservative groups out there.

100% Rating: National Assn. of Independent Business
100% Rating: Family Foundation
100% Rating: Fairfax County Taxpayers Association
A+ Rating: National Rifle Association

• National Right to Work: America’s Top Legislator of the Year, 2003
• Family Foundation: Northern Virginia Legislator of the Year, 2003
• Christian Coalition: Chairman, Northern Virginia 1993-95
• Brent Society: Distinguished Legislator of 2006–“for constant and courageous defense of innocent human life, the sanctity of marriage, and the traditional family.”
• Church of the Valley: American Eagle Award for 2007–”for bold defense of family values.”
• Tax Payers Pledge: Signed it and kept it. Delegate Black never voted for a single tax in eight years.

ABC News’ Karen Travers reports: Mitt Romney won the Family Research Council Values Voters’ Summit straw poll in Washington Saturday, barely beating out Mike Huckabee with just 30 more votes.

Romney garnered 1595 votes to Huckabee’s 1565 in the poll of conservative activists. Ron Paul was third with 865 and Fred Thompson was fourth with 564 votes. Rudy Giuliani, who addressed the crowd Saturday, finished eighth.

Romney spoke at the summit Friday and called for ending the “marriage penalty” and decreasing out-of-wedlock birth.

In a veiled hit at his rival, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and his more liberal positions on gay rights and abortion, Romney said, “We won’t win the White House with only two out of three or one out of three… We’re not going to beat Hillary Clinton by acting like Hillary Clinton.”

ABC News

The problem with him criticizing Rudy on these issues is that he shared those same positions not that long ago when he ran for governor of the People’s Republic of Taxachusetts.  I didn’t have an issue with him having those positions then.  It was, after all, Massachusetts, but the question is was he being dishonest then or is he being dishonest now?  That is what would hurt him in a general election.