Rep. Rick Boucher waited until Wednesday to release an endorsement from the National Rifle Association — an influential organization in his rural district.

“On behalf of our four million members, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund is proud to endorse your 2010 candidacy in Virginia’s ninth congressional district,” Charles Cunningham, the NRA’s federal affairs director, wrote in a letter that gave Boucher a grade of A+ for his voting record on gun issues.

A day earlier, state House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith (R) had all but announced his candidacy for Boucher’s seat.

Griffith put out a news release trumpeting endorsements from eight GOP legislators for a “possible campaign” for Congress.

It also included a disclaimer that it was “paid for by Morgan Griffith for Congress.”