Just got this from the Capitol Hillblogger:

"Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Bob Wise
"Inside Politics" reports that West Virginia governor Bob Wise will not run for re-election after "acknowledging he cheated on his wife of 19 years. The 55-year-old was linked to Angela Mascia, who oversees European projects for the West Virginia Development Office. Miss Mascia, 35, was married at the time, but has since divorced."

Depending on who decides to run this seat could go either way. While a traditional Democrat stronghold, West Virginia has been trending Republican recently. It went for Bush in 2000, without which the Florida recount would have been moot. In addition a Republican, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, was elected to one of its three Congressional districts in 2000 and re-elected in a landslide in 2002 in what was the most expensive Congressional race in the county. She is the daughter of a former governor and would be a strong contender for governor should she decide to run. Should a Republican win the state house it would give Capito a green light to run for Senate should either Democrat Senator (Byrd or Rockefeller) retire."

Very interesting, indeedy.