Virginia is one of two states holding its gubernatorial election in 2013. The incumbent Governor, Republican Bob McDonnell, cannot seek re-election because the Virginia Constitution prohibits the Governor of Virginia from serving consecutive terms.
List of Potential Candidates - Republicans
Bill Bolling, Lieutenant Governor
Ken Cuccinelli, Attorney General
Tareq Salahi, Reality television personality
Robert Hurt, U.S. Representative, VA-5
Jeff McWaters, State Senator, SD-8
Mark Obenshain, State Senator, SD-26
Pete Snyder, Technology executive
Diana Cantor, Accountant
My thoughts: Of the names listed above Bolling, Cuccinelli, and Salahi have declared their intention to run for Governor. Expect a nasty primary fight between Bolling and Cuccinelli, as Salahi was noted for crashing a White House state dinner in 2009, and, as a result, his candidacy shouldn't gain much traction. McWaters's name has been thrown around as a possible entrant into the GOP primary field as well. Obenshain and Snyder have been rumored to be considering runs for Lieutenant Governor and may declare to run for Governor or Lieutenant Governor at a later date. Hurt won a U.S. House seat in a swing district in 2010, so he may be considering a run for Governor as well. Diana Cantor is Eric Cantor's wife, and is a moderate Republican who probably wouldn't stand a chance in a statewide GOP primary.
List of Potential Candidates - Democrats
Terry McAuliffe, former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
Tom Perriello, former U.S. Representative, VA-5
Mark Warner, U.S. Senator and former Governor
Ward Armstrong, former Democratic Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates
Kenneth Cooper Alexander, State Delegate, HD-89
Annesh Chopra, former Chief Technology Officer of the United States
Ralph Northam, State Senator, SD-6
Jim Webb, U.S. Senator
Gerry Connolly, U.S. Representative, VA-11
My thoughts: No candidate has officially declared to run for Governor as a Democrat at this time. McAuliffe, Perriello, and Warner have been mentioned as potential candidates for governor; Armstrong, Cooper Alexander, Chopra, and Northam have been mentioned as potential candidates for lieutenant governor and could decide to run for governor instead of running for lieutenant governor; Webb and Connolly could also consider a bid for Governor. I don't think a hard-line liberal can win a gubernatorial race in Virginia. Perriello would be my first recommendation, as he was well-known for sticking to a core of conviction AND having a moderate reputation during his only term on Capitol Hill, if a safe pick is desired, Warner would be that safe pick, given the fact that he won his U.S. Senate seat in 2008 in a landslide, McAuliffe is too much of a party insider in my opinion. Webb probably wants out of politics completely, and Connolly doesn't have much appeal outside of Northern Virginia. Don't be surprised if there's a very competitive primary on the Democratic side as well.
Gubernatorial races in Virginia have a reputation of being hard-fought, and expect the same in 2013.
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