Democrat McAuliffe Will Run For Va. Governor

Former Democratic Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe has begun organizing another run for governor of Virginia, telling  supporters Thursday he plans to focus his campaign "on job creation and common-sense fiscal responsibility instead of divisive partisan issues."

McAuliffe, who ran for governor in 2009, announced his 2013 candidacy in an email to friends and supporters.
 

"I realize that after any election, some people's immediate question is about the next campaign," he wrote. "I want to be straightforward with you. I plan on running for governor of Virginia in 2013."
 

"Over the past four years, I've traveled to every corner of Virginia for over 2,400 meetings and events," McAuliffe said. "It is absolutely clear to me that Virginians want their next governor to focus on job creation and common-sense fiscal responsibility instead of divisive partisan issues. If we want Virginia to be the best place for business, we need leaders who prioritize economic growth and move beyond the political issues that are designed to divide us."
 

With his announcement, McAuliffe, who was also an adviser and fundraiser for former President Bill Clinton before holding the Democratic Party chairmanship from 2001 to 2005, become the first Democrat to enter the race.
 

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner,  who served as governor from 2002 to 2006, is said to be considering another run for the office as well, a number of news organizations reported Thursday. Warner, who remains popular across the state, is up for re-election to his Senate seat in 2014.
 

Warner is expected to make a decision by Thanksgiving, but in the meantime has been telling friends that other Democrats interested in running should not wait on his decision, according to reports Thursday.
 

On the Republican side, Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling are expected to fight it out for the GOP nomination.
 

In 2009, McAuliffe fell way short of the Democratic nomination in a three-way race with former state Del. Brian J. Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds. Deeds won the nomination, but lost in the general election to Republican Bob McDonnell, the current governor.