IN BETWEEN shopping, decorating, cookie-making, and visiting Santa, voters in the 1st Congressional District should add the entry "Vote" on Dec. 11. That's the day for the special election to fill the seat of the admirable Rep. Jo Ann Davis, who died in October after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
Regarding candidates, there are three:
Neophyte Lucky Narain, a 28-year-old former Peace Corps volunteer and Army reservist, calls himself "the true conservative." Running as an Independent, the Hampton Roads-area candidate has no experience in elective office.
Carrying the Democratic banner is Phil Forgit, an Iraq War veteran who earned a Bronze Star in that conflict. Before the activation of his Naval Reserve unit, Mr. Forgit taught fourth grade in Williamsburg, service for which he also was honored: In 2005, he won a National Education Association Award for Teaching Excellence. Mr. Forgit brings many fine qualities to the race, including a penchant for moderation. He takes a principled stand against embryonic stem-cell research that vexes some of his fellow Democrats but for which he deserves respect. What Mr. Forgit lacks is political experience.
For that reason, The Free Lance-Star endorses Republican candidate Rob Wittman for the 1st District seat. Mr. Wittman cut his political teeth by serving ably in his home area. Elected to the Montross Town Council in 1986, he sat on that body for 10 years, four as mayor. He then served on the Westmoreland Board of Supervisors, becoming chairman in 2003. In 2005, Mr. Wittman won election to the House of Delegates, where he has represented the 99th District. Among his accolades: The Chesapeake Bay Foundation named Mr. Wittman, a marine scientist, Legislator of the Year.
With a Ph.D. in public policy and administration, Mr. Wittman takes conservative yet reasonable stands that are a refreshing alternative to the stridency of some Virginia Republicans who decry any proposed new tax. Concerned about federal overspending, Mr. Wittman proposes to stifle earmarks and special tax breaks by making members list them on the Web. His firsthand knowledge of conservation issues should make him an especially valuable advocate for the Chesapeake Bay on Capitol Hill. Further, House GOP leader John Boehner has promised to back Mr. Wittman, whose district is rich in military bases, for a seat on the House Armed Services Committee.
Mr. Wittman, whose wife teaches at an elementary school, knows the district, understands politics, and should do his constituents proud in Washington. In this unusual, short election process, he seems the best candidate.