Jim Webb Won't Run for Re-election
Updated 12:09 p.m. Eastern Time
Virginia Democratic Sen. Jim Webb has announced that he will not seek re-election, complicating Democratic efforts to hold his seat - as well as their Senate majority - in the 2012 election.
"[A]fter much thought and consideration I have decided to return to the private sector, where I have spent most of my professional life, and will not seek re-election in 2012," said Webb in a statement. "Notwithstanding this decision, I have every intention of remaining involved in the issues that affect the well-being and the future of our country."
Democrats will now turn to former Virginia governor and Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine to seek the seat, though Kaine has not indicated interest in a run. On the Republican side, former Sen. George Allen, who Webb narrowly defeated in 2006, has jumped in the race. Others are expected to seek the seat as well, including a Tea Party candidate who is already raising money for a run.
Though Webb was widely known to be considering leaving the Senate, his announcement Wednesday caught many Democrats by surprise. In a statement, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Sen. Patty Murray vowed that "Democrats will field a strong candidate" despite in Virginia Webb's absence.
"The 2012 Virginia Senate race will be competitive but Democrats will prevail there just like we did in 2006 and 2008," she said.
National Republican Senatorial Committee Communications Director Brian Walsh, meanwhile, had this to say: "Democrats will have great difficulty finding an electable candidate for this open seat as Virginians continue to reject their agenda of higher taxes and reckless spending. We can only hope that Democrats succeed in recruiting President Obama's number one cheerleader in Washington - Tim Kaine."
Webb, a Vietnam veteran and former Reagan Navy Secretary, is a political moderate who has long maintained he has little interest in being a career politician. He has expressed concerns about his party, stating in a recent interview that the Democratic Party "evolved too strongly into interest groups rather than representing working people, including small business people."
Below, his statement in full:
Five years ago this week, on February 8, 2006, I announced my intention to run for the United States Senate. We had neither campaign funds nor a staff. We were challenged in a primary, and trailed the incumbent in the general election by more than 30 points in the polls.
Over the next nine months we focused relentlessly on the need to reorient our national security policy, to restore economic fairness and social justice, and to bring greater accountability in our government. I will always be grateful for the spirit and energy that was brought into this campaign by thousands of loyal and committed volunteers. Their enthusiasm and sheer numbers were truly the difference in that election.
It has been a great and continuing privilege to serve in the United States Senate. I am very proud of my talented and dedicated staff, which has worked tirelessly to resolve the issues on which I based my candidacy, and to protect the interests of all Virginians in this national forum. Among other contributions we have given our Post- 9/11 veterans the best GI Bill since World War Two; we have taken the lead in reforming our criminal justice system; we have led the way toward stronger relations in East and Southeast Asia; and we have been a strong voice in calling on China to act more responsibly in the world community. We will continue to work on these and other issues throughout the rest of my term.
However, after much thought and consideration I have decided to return to the private sector, where I have spent most of my professional life, and will not seek re-election in 2012.
Notwithstanding this decision, I have every intention of remaining involved in the issues that affect the well-being and the future of our country.