RICHMOND -- Gov. Tim Kaine has scheduled a Dec. 11 special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis.

At least a half-dozen Republicans, including Davis' widower, Chuck Davis, have announced either plans to run for the office or interest in a possible run.

Jo Ann Davis, a Republican from Gloucester, died Oct. 6 after a battle with breast cancer. She was 57 and had represented eastern Virginia in Congress since 2000.

The 1st District runs from Hampton Roads up the Peninsula and north to Fredericksburg and Prince William County in the outer suburbs of Northern Virginia.

Republicans will nominate their candidate at a district convention set for Nov. 17 at Gloucester High School.

Besides Chuck Davis, other Republicans who have said they will run for the office include millionaire Williamsburg businessman Paul Jost; Spotsylvania County GOP activist David Caprara; former Del. Richard Black, a Loudoun Republican who recently moved into the district to qualify; Del. Robert Wittman, R-Westmoreland County, who is seeking re-election; conservative writer and blogger James Atticus Bowden of Poquoson; and Sherwood Bowditch of Gloucester.

No Democrat has emerged yet as a potential candidate in the strongly Republican district.