Field growing for vacant House seat

The number of Republicans who either plan to run for the seat in Congress left vacant with the death of Rep. Jo Ann Davis or at least considering such a race is growing longer.

One who is running is Chuck Davis, a retired professional firefighter who has never run for elected office but wishes to finish his wife’s work.

And Friday, former Delegate Dick Black announced that he will seek the Republican nomination.

Campaign manager Herb Lux said Mr. Black has rented a house in Fredericksburg so he will have an address in the 1st District, even though candidates are not required by law to live in the district. When Mr. Black represented Loudoun County for eight years in the House of Delegates, he was among the most conservative members of the General Assembly.

One likely to run is David Caprara, who sought the Republican nomination for the same seat in 1996.

Mr. Caprara, a Spotsylvania County party activist and former state Department of Housing and Community Development director, lost a primary challenge 11 years ago to Rep. Herbert Bateman, Mrs. Davis’ predecessor.

A districtwide Republican convention, probably on Nov. 10 or Nov. 17, will determine the nominee, said James Atticus Bowden, the Republican chairman for the 1st District.

The conservative district extends from Warrenton and Dumfries southeast toward Newport News and Hampton.

It is up to Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, to set the date for a special election to fill the vacancy. While Mr. Kaine has not announced a date, state law makes Dec. 11 the most likely date.

Other well-known Republicans are considering a possible run, but have not committed to it, party leaders said in conversations at the beginning of last week. Among them:

• Paul Jost, a wealthy James City County businessman whom Mrs. Davis defeated in a Republican primary in 2000, even with the support of the sitting governor, James S. Gilmore III.

• Theresa Altimus, a member of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors.

• Delegate Scott Lingamfelter of Prince William County.

• Delegate Jeff Frederick of Prince William County.

• Delegate Rob Wittman of Westmoreland County.

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