After 20 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Thomas J. Bliley (R-7th) announced this week that he will retire from the House at the end of this term.
Bliley, from Richmond, has served as chairman of the House Commerce Committee since January 1995. He leaves behind him a considerable legislative legacy, notably the Telecommunications Bill of 1996, which took significant steps toward deregulating the telecommunications industry.
Bliley's term ends in January 2001.
According to Bliley Press Secretary Bill Dalbo, the congressman plans to use his remaining time in Congress constructively and continue to pursue legislation.
"He will work at legislation till the last hour of the session," Dalbo said.
He said the timing of Bliley's decision to retire was impacted by the upcoming presidential election and implications for his possible successor.
Voter turnout tends to increase during presidential election years, he said, and the Republican candidate who wishes to succeed Bliley will benefit from a higher number of voters and increased publicity.
Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor, said it is still unclear who Bliley's successor will be and there are several potentially viable candidates.
Two Republican members of the General Assembly, Del. Eric Cantor of Richmond and State Sen. Stephen Martin of Chesterfield County, already are campaigning, Sabato said, but there are many other Republicans vying for Bliley's seat.
"This race has the potential to become wild and crazy," at least on the primary level, as numerous candidates vie for a chance at the House seat, said Robert Holsworth, chairman of the department of international and public affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Whoever manages to secure the Republican nomination probably will be elected to Bliley's seat, as Bliley's constituency is overwhelmingly Republican and almost certainly will not elect a Democrat, Holsworth said.
"This is one of the safest Republican districts in the country," he said.
Sabato also said the primaries will prove more important than the general election in determining Bliley's replacement.
"This race will be decided in June" rather than in November, he said.
Throughout his tenure in Congress, Bliley received criticism for his continuous support of Virginia's tobacco industry. A large portion of Bliley's constituents work for the tobacco industry.
"Bliley raised very serious questions about the truth of the testimony of the big tobacco executives," Holsworth said.
Bliley "is someone who has a lot of integrity," he said. "He was never in anybody's pocket" or bowed to special interests.
Bliley is one of three senior Virginia congressmen who are leaving the House after their terms end in January.
Reps. Herbert Bateman (R) and Owen Pickett (D) also have announced plans for January retirement and will not be returning for another term in Congress.
The result, Sabato said, is a net loss of Virginia's importance on the national front, especially with regard to Bliley's retirement.
Bliley is "by far the most powerful Virginia House member, because he is chairman of the Commerce Committee," he said. "Virginia will lose a good deal" with Bliley's retirement.
Some Virginia Republicans said they will look back fondly upon Bliley's tenure in the House.
"Republicans feel a great deal of gratitude to Mr. Bliley," College Republicans President John Blair said. "Especially for his work as chairman of the Commerce Committee."
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