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Terry McAuliffe on
Saturday announced his candidacy for the Virginia governorship, attempting to
position himself as the natural successor to Democrats Mark Warner and Tim
Kaine. In an e-mail
video distributed to supporters, the former Democratic National Committee chairman said
he has lived in the commonwealth for almost 20 years and that his campaign
would focus on the economy, energy and the records of Warner and Kaine. McAuliffe
is a resident of McLean and said he would make a formal announcement
on Wednesday.
“Over the coming
months, we will travel to every corner of the commonwealth to ask all
Virginians to join our campaign to get the economy moving again,” McAuliffe
said. “As governor, I’ll make it my job to protect your job, grow this economy,
make Virginia a leader in renewable energy, focus on long-term transportation
solutions and give our children the best education so they have a chance to
pursue the American dream right here in Virginia.”
McAuliffe’s
announcement was expected after he formed an exploratory committee on Nov. 10.
He enters the race with significant fundraising potential. His chairmanship
of the DNC from 2001 to 2005 spanned a period in which the organization raised
nearly $600 million, erased its debt and positioned itself for wins in the 2006
congressional elections and the 2008 presidential contest under current
chairman Howard Dean.
McAuliffe has at
least two primary opponents, State Sen. Robert Creigh Deeds, who ran
for attorney general in 2005, and Brian Moran, who succeeded Deeds as
chairman of the House Democratic Caucus in Richmond.
The only
announced GOP candidate is current Attorney General Bob McDonnell, whom
McAuliffe called “a good man” in his announcement video. McAuliffe did not mention
Deeds or Moran.
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