Of course, partisan success in US congressional elections depends so much on recruitment, and recruitment depends on opportunity, and open seats create great opportunity.
I don’t know who the possible candidates are, but the Democrats’ chances of holding both Virginia seats in 2024 and beyond just went up dramatically with this announcement (as Steven suggests).
Another possible spin is that Warner thought he would face a serious challenge and decided not to push it. Lots of retirements are of that sort–reading the tea leaves, so to speak.
Or maybe he just doesn’t like being in the minority. (I would give the GOP very bleak chances of winning back the Senate in 2024–worse than of retaining the presidency.)
Comment by MSS — Friday, August 31, 2024 @ 4:29 pm
Of course, partisan success in US congressional elections depends so much on recruitment, and recruitment depends on opportunity, and open seats create great opportunity.
I don’t know who the possible candidates are, but the Democrats’ chances of holding both Virginia seats in 2024 and beyond just went up dramatically with this announcement (as Steven suggests).
Another possible spin is that Warner thought he would face a serious challenge and decided not to push it. Lots of retirements are of that sort–reading the tea leaves, so to speak.
Or maybe he just doesn’t like being in the minority. (I would give the GOP very bleak chances of winning back the Senate in 2024–worse than of retaining the presidency.)
Comment by MSS — Friday, August 31, 2024 @ 4:29 pm