CAROLINE COUNTY, VA. — State Del. Rob Wittman won Virginia’s 1st Congressional District Republican nomination Saturday in a heated and sometime raucous party convention to replace the late Rep. Jo Ann Davis. Wittman claimed victory in the 6th round of balloting, after conservative anti-tax activist Paul Jost conceded.

Jost had led through all five rounds of balloting, but a late endorsement by Davis’ husband, retired firefighter Chuck Davis, helped push Wittman over the top. Davis entered the convention as one of the leading candidates.

The Politico

I am disappointed in this result. Jost was the Club for Growth endorsed candidate and a strong anti-tax conservative. This is a Republican district so I think he would have been easily electable. I don’t know anything about Wittman, however, so he may be fine. I’m not judging him by any means, but Jost was my preference for this race. This election is December 11th.

Two more Republicans announced their retirements in recent days.  Reps. Jim Saxton (NJ-03) and Barbara Cubin (WY-AL) will call it quits.  Democrats will try to spin this as more Republicans giving up hope on taking back the majority.  In fact, they were disappointed with one of those announcements.

Saxton’s seat is a toss-up, but was safe with him there.  He’s fairly conservative for a New Jersey Republican, but by no means would ever be confused for a pork buster.  He managed to entrench himself and hasn’t faced a serious challenge for some time.  His seat is now a toss-up.

Cubin’s decision, on the other hand, actually strengthens our chances of keeping the seat.  Cubin has been a reliable conservative vote when she has shown up, but has been dealing with family issues and spending a lot of time in Wyoming.  She cited family issues as the reason for her decision.  The GOP primary field will be wide open and may attract some of the candidates who were considering primary challenges to the newly appointed Sen. John Barasso.  State Rep. Colin Simpson had already announced his candidacy when Cubin made the announcement.  Though being slightly more conservative than his father, Simpson is certain to face at least one serious challenge from the right, though who emerges at the top of that field remains to be seen.