Official: Cantor seeks No. 2 GOP House post

The Associated Press
Published: November 5, 2008

WASHINGTON — A GOP official says Rep. Eric Cantor intends to run for the second-ranking spot on the House Republican leadership ladder as the party struggles with the loss of about 20 seats in the election.

The official who disclosed Cantor’s decision spoke on condition of anonymity because the Virginia lawmaker hasn’t announced his decision.

The current second-ranking House Republican is Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri. It was not immediately known whether Blunt will seek a new term in that job.

Cantor defeated Democrat Anita Hartke of Amissville Tuesday to win a fifth term representing the 7th District.

The party’s House leader, John Boehner of Ohio, has announced he will seek two more years in his post.

Five other incumbents easily won re-election in Virginia’s congressional races.

Republicans Randy Forbes in the 4th District, Rob Wittman in the 1st and Bob Goodlatte in the 6th all turned back Democratic challenges Tuesday.

Democratic incumbents Bobby Scott in the 3rd District and Rick Boucher in the 9th were unopposed.

Final election totals
U.S. House of Rep.
District 7
Locality Hartke Cantor  
Caroline             3,289 2,893
Chesterfield 29,843 51,918
Culpeper             7,062 11,219
Goochland             3,740 8,375
Hanover             14,189 40,274
Henrico             43,319 68,764
Louisa             5,597 8,886
Madison             2,272 3,910
Orange             5,701 9,261
Page             3,385 6,192
Rappahannock   2,080 2,212
Spotyslvania   3,425 5,666
Richmond City 13,787 13,564
Totals           137,689   233,138
Pct.             37.08% 62.78%