Yes, 2011 isn't even over, but already people are lining up for the Virginia governors race in 2013. Months ago, we heard an official announcement from LG Bolling that he will be seeking the republican nomination for governor. We also heard a bizarre story that AG Cuccinelli was thinking of challenging Mark Warner in 2014. It looks like Cuccinelli has seen sense since (did you like that tongue twister?) then and has now decided he'd rather be governor.
Link: http://www.nbc12.com/...
More below the fold
It's my understanding, and I might be wrong, that Bolling agreed to run for a 2nd term as LG (which is a part-time job), because the Party was able to convince him that he'd have his turn in '13. McDonnell will endorse Bolling, that is pretty much certain. BUT, who cares? Cuccinelli is the darling of the VA tea party and is now pretty formidable nationally too. The state party has insisted on a primary instead of a convention to make things better for Bolling, but I still think Cuccinelli is heavily favored.
Maybe Bolling will be able to use his tie-breaking vote in the state senate to gain some goodwill and get his name out a bit more, but as of now no one really knows who he is while Cuccinelli somehow has double digit favorables (41-27, I think) and much higher name ID. I think Bolling's gonna be humiliated, should be fun to watch.