Former DNC chief mulls run in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. — Former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe said on Saturday he intends to run for governor of Virginia.

After months of speculation over his plans, McAuliffe announced his intentions in a video posted on his Web site. In the video, McAuliffe said he will make his intention to run official on Wednesday as part of a weeklong campaign kickoff.

The stops include town hall meetings in Hampton Roads, Bristol, Richmond and others, where McAuliffe will unveil plans for job creation, education and renewable energy.

"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 in the video.

In November, the 51-year-old established his campaign committee, Friends of Terry McAuliffe, with the State Board of Elections, secured the services of strategist Mike Henry and began touring Virginia but had not made his candidacy certain.

McAuliffe faces two other Democrats, who have already been active for nearly a year in what has become a contentious nomination fight to succeed Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

State Sen. Creigh Deeds narrowly lost the attorney general's race in 2005, and House Democratic Caucus chairman Brian Moran is also in the race.

"We welcome Terry McAuliffe to the race and we're looking forward to an open and honest discussion of how we keep Virginia moving forward," said Peter Jackson, a spokesman for Deeds.

In a statement, Moran also welcomed McAuliffe to the campaign.

"I am more convinced than ever that Virginians want a governor with a proven record of fighting for Virginia families and a vision for the commonwealth," Moran said.

The Democratic nominee will face Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who is unchallenged for his party's nomination, in the Nov. 3 election.

Phil Cox, a spokesman for McDonnell also welcomed McAuliffe into the race, saying he has a "tough primary fight ahead of him." But Cox said there will be plenty of time during the campaign to compare and contrast records.

A native of upstate New York, McAuliffe has lived in Virginia for about 17 years. He lives in the Washington, D.C., suburb of McLean.