VA-5: Rep. Garrett Now Will Retire

On the Memorial Day holiday, Virginia freshman Rep. Tom Garrett (R-Scottsville/Charlottesville) reversed course from his Thursday re-election announcement and will instead retire.  He also revealed his alcoholism affliction.   The Congressman will still appear unopposed on the June 12th ballot, but will officially withdraw once the primary passes.  The local 5th District Republican Party organization will then meet in a special convention to choose a new nominee.  The eventual candidate will oppose former CBS News “60 Minutes” producer Leslie Cockburn who is well underway with her campaign.  The district still leans Republican, so being able to turn away from a weakened Rep. Garrett should actually help the GOP’s position, even though the post-convention candidate will have to quickly assemble a major congressional campaign from scratch.  This race will continue to attract national political attention.

--Jim Ellis