Artur Davis was a Democratic member of congress from 2003-2011. His moderate voting record was at odds with many progressive Democrats and unusual for a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. When he lost the 2010 Alabama Democratic gubernatorial nomination, he moved to Virginia and became a Republican. He was welcomed with open arms. Part of that has to do with party switchers often celebrated because it shows our party is better than yours. Part certainly is due to Davis being black. Republicans are so afraid of being called racist that they celebrate any Black Republicans. Certainly part of it has to do with Davis articulating Republican positions. Davis stated he wanted to run for elected office again as a Republican.
The Virginia 10th congressional district seat recently came open and Davis decided not to run for it. The article is saying to me that Davis' political comeback is being derailed because Virginia convention and primary voters pick people more conservative than he is. This smacks of whining. He chose to be switch parties. He even chose the congressional district he's living in. He certainly could've moved to Northern New York where it was easier for someone who has taken liberal positions to win a nomination. Or he could've come out here, where top two opens the door to someone perceived in the center.
If that's the criteria for winning a Republican nomination there, then so be it. If he's not willing to try, then he has nothing to complain about.
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