Republican U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, who has held solid control of the 10th congressional district of Northern Virginia since first being elected in 1980, announced he will not seek re-election next year, opening the door for a serious challenge from a Democratic candidate for the first time in memory. Wolf has won re-election by a minimum of 57 percent of the vote every year since 1982, including the decade of the 1980s when the 10th district encompassed the City of Falls Church.

Earlier this month, Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust announced he would seek the Democratic nomination to run for the district seat, which pundits agree will now become highly competitive. Romney defeated Obama by a single percentage point in 2012 after Obama won it in 2008. No Republican has yet stepped up to announce a candidacy.

Wolf’s statement issued today included the following comment:

“As a follower of Jesus, I am called to work for justice and reconciliation, and to be an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. I plan to focus my future work on human rights and religious freedom – both domestic and international – as well as matters of the culture and the American family. My passion for these issues has been influenced by the examples of President Ronald Reagan, former Congressmen Jack Kemp and Tony Hall, Chuck Colson, and the life of 18th century Member of Parliament William Wilberforce.