Former Rep. Virgil Goode (R) announced this week that he will not seek to regain his old seat in 2010. Goode was narrowly defeated in 2008 by now-Rep. Tom Perriello (D), a top target for Republicans next year.

In a statement announcing his decision, Goode did not elaborate on why he had chosen to forgo another run for office.

“I have decided not to seek the Republican nomination for Congress in 2010,— Goode said. “It is my sincere hope and expectation that Republicans will nominate a conservative who will oppose the record deficits and debt of the current administration.—

With Goode on the sidelines, Republicans are likely to look to either state Sen. Robert Hurt or state Del. Rob Bell to be their standard-bearer next year.

Hurt is from Danville and has said publicly he would look at the race if Goode decided not to run. Bell, who hails from the Charlottesville area, is facing a competitive race for re-election this fall. Because Virginia has off-year legislative elections, neither Hurt nor Bell would have to give up his General Assembly seat to run for Congress.

Cordel Faulk (R), who is the spokesman for University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato, is also mentioned as someone interested in the race.