Bob McDonnell's quest to become governor has gotten a little easier.
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, announced Monday that he will not run for governor in 2009. Instead, Bolling said he will run for re-election as lieutenant governor.
The announcement leaves McDonnell, the state attorney general, as the likely gubernatorial nominee of the Republican Party.
McDonnell is from Virginia Beach. He holds a law degree from Regent University and was a partner with the Beach law firm of Huff, Poole & Mahoney. He was elected attorney general in 2005, the same year Bolling was elected lieutenant governor.
At a news conference Monday at the state Capitol in Richmond, Bolling said family finances and the necessity of building a new business precluded a costly full-time run for governor, an office he said he still wants.
Bolling said he will support McDonnell and said his decision would unify Republicans next year after two straight gubernatorial election losses to Mark Warner and Timothy M. Kaine.
"Bob McDonnell and I are stronger running together than either of us would be running individually," Bolling said.
McDonnell issued a written statement praising Bolling and the Republican Party's chances in 2009.
"Virginia Republicans have not held the office of governor for the last two terms," McDonnell wrote. "That is a lifetime in the public policy arena.... The first key to winning back the office of governor is returning unity to our party. By Republicans uniting early, and listening to all Virginians, while the Democrats face a lengthy primary contest, we will gain a significant and powerful advantage heading into the general election next November."
The Democratic Party has no clear frontrunner for the nomination. State Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County, who lost to McDonnell in 2005 in the attorney general campaign, and state Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria are contenders.
In January, Republican George Allen announced that he would not run for governor in 2009.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Marc Davis, (757) 222-5131, marc.davis@pilotonline.com
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McDonnell '09!
McDonnell has done an excellent job as Attorney General and Delegate. Of all the candidates running, McDonnell has the strongest resume by far. After years of waiting, it's time that Hampton Roads elected one of its own Governor.
thank goodness
Enough already of the tax and spend liberal Democrats who are trying like cray to turn usinto another Massachusetts. Fiscal and legislative conservatism is not only we need, but the entire country. Enough hemorrhaging already.
Be very careful
This is a person who is never to be trusted with one word that comes out of his mouth. For all his religious spewings, he's still a politician and a very scary one at that.
Good Call Bryan
I believe in Dirty Harry.. the quote of the movie is..."Do you feel lucky?"... Apparently he doesn't "feel lucky"...
Dirty Harry
"A man's got to know his limitations" is actually from "Magnum Force"