Ex-DNC chair officially enters ‘09 Va. gov’s race

AP
Published: January 7, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)—Former Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe is finally a full-fledged candidate for governor of Virginia.

McAuliffe began a weeklong, 16-stop kickoff tour around daybreak Wednesday in Norfolk, making the bleak economy his campaign focus, stressing his business credentials and pledging a pragmatic, nonpartisan approach to developing jobs.

“There’s no such thing as a Republican job or a Democratic job. It’s about bringing people together to create good jobs,“ McAuliffe said in Norfolk.

The announcement sets up a three-way primary fight for resurgent Virginia Democrats in an already contentious contest with unique dimensions that make it one of the nation’s most anticipated off-year election.

As the former Democratic national chairman runs for governor, sitting Gov. Timothy M. Kaine becomes the new Democratic national chairman facing enormous pressure to ensure that his successor is a Democrat. Kaine is President Barack Obama’s choice to replace DNC Chairman Howard Dean, who departs on Jan. 21.

Former state Del. Brian J. Moran and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, both Democrats, entered the race early last year. Both have long lists of endorsements by legislative and local Democratic officeholders.

Moran in particular notes the endorsements to portray McAuliffe’s as a carpetbagger who hasn’t paid his dues in Virginia state politics.

A native of upstate New York, McAuliffe, 51, has lived in Virginia for about 17 years. His home is in the Washington, D.C., suburb of McLean.

McAuliffe is a former top adviser to the Clintons and a prolific fundraiser whose national donor base could infuse the race with tens of millions of dollars. That prompted Moran last week to challenge his primary rivals to forego out-of-state contributions.

McAuliffe’s announcement is no surprise. He conspicuously crisscrossed Virginia last fall, honing his message and style in campaign appearances for Obama. In November, he filed papers establishing his gubernatorial campaign committee, hired a veteran political staff and embarked on a statewide “listening tour.“ He had targeted Wednesday for announcing whether he would run, but made his intent known last week in a video e-mailed to supporters.

As McAuliffe, Moran and Deeds join the primary race, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell is uncontested for the Republican nomination and free to attack the Democratic field and raise cash unmolested. The prospect of a fall showdown against McAuliffe has been a boon to McDonnell’s effort to attract GOP donors nationally. This week alone, he has two fundraisers with former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

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