Virginia
11 seats: 5R, 6D, 1I R54
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Virginia had another remarkably non-competitive year in U.S. House races � the
most competitive of 22 races since 1994 was won by 22%. Due to a successful
lawsuit against the state's black majority district, the legislature redrew
legislative districts in 1998, but with an eye toward protecting all of the
incumbents. The paucity of challengers � seven seats were uncontested � is
evidence of their likely success. Things should be more eventful in 2000,
particularly in Owen Pickett's open seat in District 2, which leans Republican
(although potentially made more Democratic in the 1998 redistricting). Virgil
Goode's conversion to an independent caucusing with Republicans may draw a
vigorous challenge from a Democrat. Perhaps Goode saw the writing on the wall;
with Republicans drawing district lines in 2001, it is possible that Democrats
could be reduced to two seats by the end of the next decade. Four incumbents are
uncontested this year. (NOTE:
Because of the 1998 redistricting, projected partisan performance is uncertain,
although the impact likely was insignificant in most districts.]
1. OPEN [Herbert Bateman (R), 1982] |
Comfortable |
|
'98: 76 U |
'96: 99 U |
'94: 74 |
'92: 58 |
|
[R 59] |
|
2. OPEN [Owen Pickett (D), 1986] |
Vulnerable |
|
'98: 94 |
'96: 65 |
'94: 59 |
'92: 56 |
![](d.gif) |
[R 55] |
|
3. Robert Scott (D), 1992 |
Uncontested |
|
'98: 76 U |
'96: 82 |
'94: 79 |
'92: 79 |
|
[D 73] |
|
4. Norman Sisisky (D), 1992 |
Uncontested* |
|
'98: 97 |
'96: 79 |
'94: 62 |
'92: 68 |
|
[R 53] |
|
5. Virgil Goode (I), 1996 |
Landslide* |
|
'98: 99 |
'96: 61 |
['94: D 53 |
'92: D 69] |
![](u.gif) |
[R 56] |
|
6. Bob Goodlatte (R), 1992 |
Uncontested |
|
'98: 69 |
'96: 67 |
'94: 100 |
'92: 60 |
|
[R 58] |
|
7. OPEN [Thomas Bliley (R), 1980] |
Landslide |
|
'98: 79 U |
'96: 75 |
'94: 84 U |
'92: 83 U |
|
[R 64] |
|
8. James Moran (D), 1990 |
Landslide |
|
'98: 67 |
'96: 66 |
'94: 59 |
'92: 56 |
|
[D 56] |
|
9. Rick Boucher (D), 1982 |
Landslide* |
|
'98: 61 |
'96: 65 |
'94: 59 |
'92: 63 |
![](u.gif) |
[R 53] |
|
10. Frank Wolf (R), 1980 |
Uncontested |
|
'98: 72 |
'96: 72 |
'94: 87 U |
'92: 64 |
|
[R 61] |
|
11. Tom Davis (R), 1994 |
Landslide* |
|
'98: 82 U |
'96: 64 |
'94: 53 |
['92: D 50] |
|
[R 51] |
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Virginia's results 1982 to 1998
Facts in Focus for Virginia 1982 to 1998
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