By Chris L. Jenkins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 7, 2007

The successor to U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.), who died yesterday at age 57, will be chosen during a special election on a date to be set by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), state officials said.

The House vacancy, a rare event, probably will spark a scramble in both parties to replace the four-term lawmaker, who was the first Republican congresswoman elected in Virginia.

Davis was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and was treated, but the cancer returned in February, according to a statement released by her office. She had been getting treatment at Duke University and recently had received positive reports on her progress, but during the past week, her condition worsened, the statement said.

State law does not require Kaine to set the election date within a prescribed amount of time. An aide to the governor said that if Kaine decides not to call for a special election Nov. 6, Election Day for state and local offices, the special election could not be held until 30 days later, according to state law.

"We're still researching exactly how this will be done," said Delacey Skinner, Kaine's communications director.

Unlike in the Senate, Skinner said, Kaine cannot select a replacement for a House of Representatives seat.

Of Virginia's 11 congressional seats, eight are held by Republicans, the rest by Democrats. Davis represented the 1st District, which stretches northwest from the Hampton Roads area through the Northern Neck into the city of Fredericksburg, all of Stafford County and parts of Prince William and Fauquier counties. It is a reliably Republican district, having voted overwhelmingly for President Bush in 2004 and then-Sen. George Allen (R) last year. The district is represented in the state legislature largely by GOP senators and delegates.

Two state Republican sources said yesterday that several names have emerged as potential candidates to run for Davis's seat. Those include state Del. Robert J. Wittman (R-Westmoreland), Del. Melanie L. Rapp (R-York), Sen. Ryan T. McDougle (R-Hanover), Russ Moulton, former chairman of the 1st District Republican Committee, and GOP activist Paul Jost.

A Democratic source said at least one candidate might emerge from the party: Phil Forgit, an elementary school teacher who ran against Rapp in 2003.

Yesterday, many of the state's elected officials were not talking about the special election, instead issuing statements mourning Davis's death.

U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) noted that he and Davis "shared a warm friendship built around a mutual enjoyment of equestrian sports."

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) called her "a dependable conservative voice on the challenges of our time."

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) said Davis "was an inspirational figure, especially over the past two years as she waged her battle against breast cancer."

House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) said Davis "earned a reputation as a principled and dedicated advocate" for her constituents.

Kaine said Davis "made history when she became the first female Republican elected to the House of Representatives from the Commonwealth in 2000."

Before 2000, Davis, a former real estate broker, served in the House of Delegates. In Congress, she was a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.