Rep. Connolly Won't Seek Webb's Senate Seat

Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly isn't running for the U.S. Senate seat fellow Democrat Jim Webb is leaving next year.

Connolly issued a statement Friday ruling out a statewide race next year and imploring Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine to run.

"Tim Kaine is a man of conviction and strong values. He has a passion for governing and understands the issues facing Virginia," Connolly said. "Tim is a public servant in the truest sense of the word. He would make a great U.S. senator and I hope he decides to run."

The former Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman narrowly won a second House term last fall in his Democratic-leaning northern Virginia district. He was the only one of three Virginia Democratic House freshmen elected in the 2008 Democratic sweep to survive November's GOP sweep.

He said he has unfinished business in the House and that with his new post as a ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee he can do a lot for northern Virginia's economy.

"I want to continue to be a strong, common-sense voice for northern Virginia in the Congress as we grapple with tough decisions on federal spending that have a direct impact on the families of the 11th District," Connolly said.

Friends and advisers to Kaine said they don't expect an announcement from the former governor until he returns early next week from a vacation.