In a statement this morning, Virgil Goode announced that, after creating an exploratory committee earlier this year, he would not be running for re-election in Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District in 2010.  An excerpt of his release is below:

I have decided not to seek the Republican nomination for Congress in 2010.  It is my hope and expectation that Republicans will nominate a conservative who will oppose the record deficits and debt of the current administration, will support secure borders and oppose amnesty for illegals, will recognize and reduce the huge threat that terrorists pose for our country, will support pro-life issues, and will support the traditional definition of marriage of one man and one woman.  I look forward to supporting and working for that candidate in 2010.

Too bad…he has a potential to grab the seat back since Tom Periello has hopped on the Obama train.  But it begs me to ask the question as to why the seat was vulnerable in the first place. The main reason I can come up with is Goode himself and the Fifth’s attitude toward his efforts in Congress.  It’s probably a good thing for Rs that he’s not running again. Maybe we can actually win the seat now.