Congressional Prayer Caucus founder loses reelection bid

WASHINGTON—A week after the first Republican incumbent lost in a 2016 congressional primary, a second one went down on Tuesday in Virginia.

Rep. Randy Forbes lost to Scott Taylor, a representative in the Virginia House of Delegates and a former Navy Seal. Taylor led 52 percent to 40 percent with almost 90 percent of the vote counted. Forbes, co-chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, has represented Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District since 2001.

“To serve this Commonwealth, our men and women in uniform, and my home, has been a high privilege,” Forbes said in a statement released Tuesday night. “We have had a vision for this region, for rebuilding our military, and for defending religious liberty, and while perhaps not embraced by voters tonight, we hope nonetheless will be the path forward for our nation and our region.”

Forbes’ loss comes one week after Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., became the first congressional Republican to lose a primary battle in this election cycle. Ellmers had alienated a range of conservative groups through numerous controversial votes, but she also suffered from unfavorable new district lines drawn by the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly.

Forbes also had district woes—he moved to a new one after a three-judge panel redrew his congressional district—but he had a very different record. Forbes is known as staunchly pro-life and one of the strongest congressional advocates for religious liberty. He had a 100 percent voting score from the Family Research Council.

Forbes is best known for founding the Congressional Prayer Caucus in 2005. It started as a small gathering of House members but has since grown to include more than 90 lawmakers, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., senators, and members of both parties.

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., co-chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, said he was “saddened” to hear of Forbes’ loss.

“Our nation is indebted to him for his incredible work with the Congressional Prayer Caucus and his steadfast defense of our First Amendment right of the free exercise of religion,” Lankford told me. “I have the highest respect for him in the way he serves with humility, grace, and dedication.”

The 64-year-old Forbes, a Southern Baptist, served in the Virginia House and the Virginia Senate before running for the U.S. House in 2001. He currently sits on three House committees: Armed Services, Education and Workforce, and Judiciary.

Taylor, 36, will run against Democrat Shaun Brown in November to fill the seat Republican Rep. Scott Rigell is vacating.