In a further good omen for House Democrats as they seek to expand their majority this Fall, CQ has upgraded its rating for the Dems on the northern Virginia House seat of retiring GOP Rep. Tom Davis, from "No Clear Favorite" to "Leans Democrat."

Primaries on Tuesday elected Democratic Gerry Connolly, chairman of the Fairfax county board, and Republican businessman Keith Fimian, to be their parties' respective nominees. Connolly is a strong fundraiser with high name recognition, and should be able to stay competitive against any potential self-financing by Fimian.

Northern Virginia's swing to the Democrats has been responsible for major Dem gains in recent years, most notably the election of Jim Webb to the Senate. The district went to George W. Bush by less than one point in 2004, and in a strong year for the Dems could plausibly be carried by Barack Obama, which would make it quite difficult for the GOP to hold on here.

Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA) made his intentions clear today about the Senate race, telling reporters that he will not be a candidate. "This is just probably not the right time for me to make any advance and run for the Senate," Davis said.

Davis has not yet said whether he will run for re-election, though an announcement is expected some time after the state legislative elections in November. Davis' wife Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, a state Senator, faces a tough battle from Democratic candidate Chap Petersen.

Former Governor Mark Warner is heavily favored to pick up the seat for the Democrats.

It's already been reported that Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA) has ruled out a Senate run, but now GOP sources are saying that he's thinking of quitting the House, too.

If Davis does choose to retire — and an announcement could come as early as Thursday — his rapidly blue-trending suburban seat would stand a good chance of falling to the Democrats next year.

The Washington Post reports that Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA) will not be running for the open Senate seat in 2008, and could potentially announce his intentions as soon as this week. Davis' chances had been hurt by the state party's decision to make their nomination through a convention, rather than a primary, a decision that would heavily favor the more conservative former Governor Jim Gilmore.

The remaining question is whether Davis will seek re-election to his seat representing Fairfax County, which has become a swing or even Democratic-leaning area. Davis' announcement could be delayed until after the state legislative elections in two weeks, in which his Davis' wife is facing a tough race for re-election as a state Senator.

The Democrats are heavily favored to pick up the Senate seat, with former Governor Mark Warner as their candidate.

Congressman Tom Davis (R-VA) hasn't even yet announced his widely-expected Senate candidacy, but Democrats are already gearing up to run for his seat. Former Congresswoman Leslie Byrne has notified liberal Virginia bloggers that she's formed an exploratory committee to make her comeback.

Byrne was elected to a single term in 1992, but was then defeated by Davis in the 1994 Republican landslide. In 2005, she was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, and afterward became an early supporter of Jim Webb's Senate campaign.

If Davis vacates the seat for a Senate campaign, the seat could be an easy pick-up for Democrats. In the 2006 Senate election, Jim Webb carried the district by a ten-point margin.