Republican leaders gave former Gov. Jim Gilmore a boost today by choosing to hold a convention to nominate the party's candidate to run for the U.S. Senate next year.
The party's state central committee voted 47 to 37 to hold a convention rather than a primary.
Gilmore, the more conservative choice, is seen as having an edge among the party's inner circle over the more moderate Rep. Tom Davis. However, his personal appeal in the state is severely weakened by his embarrassing record as Governor. Did the Republicans just hand Mark Warner a Senate seat on a silver platter?
What's more, the prospect of a convention could cause Davis to walk away from the Senate contest altogether:
There was speculation that Davis, now, would not seek the nomination, leaving the field to Gilmore. A Davis spokesman said he would announce his intentions after the Nov. 6 General Assembly elections.
A non-candidacy by Davis would make picking up his House seat, which is trending in favor of Democrats in federal races, a much more difficult task.
