The two Virginia Beach men competing in the 2nd Congressional District election this year exchanged letters Monday urging each other to adopt civil rules to avoid personal attacks. But they can't agree on where to draw the line.

By Alex Isenstadt Hispanics are poised for major gains in Congress this fall, ensuring a boost to their clout on Capitol Hill.

Virginia's congressional primaries, imperiled because of the General Assembly's failure to meet its redistricting deadlines, are on their way to being postponed from June until August.

VIRGINIA BEACH Businessman Paul Hirschbiel formally kicked off his campaign for Congress in the 2nd District on Monday, saying his focus will be on education and jobs. Hirschbiel will take on U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell, a Republican, who in 2010 won the seat to represent the district that includes Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore, and part of Norfolk and Hampton.

Dean Longo, a Newport News businessman, announced Monday that he's running for Congress in Virginia's 3rd district, seeking the seat held by U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott. The district stretches from Richmond to South Hampton Roads. Longo, a Republican, is a retired Air Force officer. He has twice served as chairman of the Newport News Human Rights Commission.

RICHMOND Northern Virginia businessman Tim Donner has ended his pursuit of the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2012, announcing in an online video he's withdrawing because he doesn't see a path to victory.

By Bob Lewis RICHMOND, Va. There's a reason the dirtiest political tricks of every campaign season surface a few days before each election: They're most effective then because there's so little time to rebut them.

By Vivian J. Paige There is a candidate for the General Assembly who has been dubbed "the phantom candidate" because few have seen the guy. He hasn't shown up to candidate forums or to newspaper interviews.

Virginia Beach businessman Paul Hirschbiel announced Monday he is running as a Democrat for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District seat in 2012.
"I'm tired of the dysfunction that I see up there today," Hirschbiel said, referring to Washington. "I believe they should be working together.... They're forgetting about us people."

VIRGINIA BEACH Former 2nd District U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye told supporters Wednesday that he has no plans to run for Congress in 2012. "I wanted to let you know that, after careful consideration, I have decided not to run for Congress in 2012," the Democrat wrote in a letter. Last year, Republican Scott Rigell defeated Nye, who served one term as congressman.