Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor, the No. 2 ranking Republican in the U.S. House, has drawn a 2010 election challenge from Democrat Charlie Diradour, a real estate developer.
In a video posted on his campaign Web site, Diradour came out swinging against Cantor, the House minority whip, who is in his fifth term representing the precincts of central and north-central Virginia that comprise the state's 7th District.
Diradour chastised Cantor for being captured on TV consulting his Blackberry during President Obama's health care address to Congress last week, calling the incumbent a "card-carrying member of those who make up the most pampered, out-of-touch and politically rude class of elite Washington politicians in this country's history."
"I intend to go to Washington to change all that," said Diradour. "The time has come to send the career politicians home."
But the odds are daunting for Diradour, who is seeking political office for the first time. Cantor is the top fundraiser among House Republicans: He raised nearly $1.8 million in the first six months of this year and had $1.1 million in his campaign account as July began.
And Cantor represents a district in which he benefits from a decided Republican lean.
Cantor has won more than 60 percent of the vote in all five of his general elections, including 63 percent in 2008 against little-known Democrat Anita Hartke.
In that year's presidential balloting, Republican John McCain outran Democrat Barack Obama by 53 percent to 46 percent among 7th District voters.
CQ Politics presently rates the Virginia 7 race as Safe Republican, but will monitor the race over the next 14 months for signs of competitiveness.
To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map
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