Moran misses votes as brother battles for GOV nod

With his brother in the stretch run of the Virginia Democratic primary for governor, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) missed all three votes in the House on Monday.

Moran, whose district is literally across the river from Washington, D.C., missed three minor votes Monday, as it appeared his brother, former state Del. Brian Moran, would need some magic to win a three-way primary Tuesday.

The younger Moran faces state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Terry McAuliffe for the right to face state Attorney General Bob McDonnell (R). Polls close at 7 p.m.

Polling in the final days of the race have shown Deeds overtaking the field, while McAuliffe sits in second.

Rep. Moran was one of about 40 members of Congress to miss the votes Monday. It’s otherwise not a noteworthy occurrence for a travel day with minor votes, but few members who missed the votes come from districts anywhere close to Washington. And no member of Congress is closer to the Capitol than Moran.

Moran has missed less than 10 percent of votes overall, according to washingtonpost.com figures.

Moran’s office did not return a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.