Virginia gubernatorial election, 2013
 Virginia's 2013 elections: • Governor • Lt. Gov • Attorney General • State House |
2014 →
← 2012
|
| 2013 State Executive Official Elections |
 |
| New Jersey • Virginia • Wisconsin |
| News • Calendar |
Incumbent Bob McDonnell (R) is term limited from running for re-election in 2013.
Race background
Current Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) is ineligible to run for re-election in 2013 because of term limits. The term limits Virginia imposes on its governors are more strict than any other state in the country: under the commonwealth's constitution, no governor may serve back-to-back terms. This means that McDonnell, unlike other governors in their first term, is ineligible to run for re-election until a full term has passed.
There are no such term limits on the attorney general, and many were surprised at current AG Ken Cuccinelli's (R) decision to run for governor rather than seek another term. If not for Cuccinelli, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling would have been the frontrunner for the Republican nomination to succeed current Governor Bob McDonnell. Bolling expressed more disappointment than surprise that Cuccinelli had chose to challenge him in the gubernatorial primary rather than be his lieutenant gubernatorial running-mate, noting "nothing he does surprises me."[1]
Bolling suspended his campaign on November 28, 2012, citing his slim chances beating tea party favorite and attorney general Ken Cuccinelli for the party's nomination. Bolling's withdrawal stems from a decision by Virginia Republicans to change their method for selecting gubernatorial nominees from open primary election to closed nominating convention.[2] Although Bolling was explicit about ending his pursuit of a place on the Republican ticket, he waited until March 12 before ruling out the possibility of running as an independent candidate instead.[3] About the alternative of seeking re-election to his current post, Bolling stated that, “Under normal circumstances, I would be open to the possibility of running for another term as lieutenant governor, but I would not be interested in running on a statewide ticket with Mr. Cuccinelli.”[4] He later said he regretted dropping out of the race as early as he did.[5]
McDonnell had previously pledged his support for Bolling's candidacy- in part because Bolling refrained from challenging McDonnell for governor in 2009. After Bolling bowed out, McDonnell chose to endorse fellow Republican Cuccinelli for his successor, despite Cuccinelli's outspoken opposition to McDonnell's Transportation Initiative, which is considered to be the centerpiece of his gubernatorial legacy. Ironically, Cuccinelli's future general election opponent, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, has been equally outspoken on the issue, but as an advocate and defender of the outgoing governor's approach to amending the state's transportation funding policy. [6][7][8]
Like Cuccinelli, McAuliffe faces no primary contest. The two contenders will square off in the general election on November 5, 2013.[9]
| Deadline | Event |
|---|---|
| March 28 | Last day to file candidacy for primary election |
| May 17-18 | Republican primary convention |
| May 20 | Voter registration deadline for primary election |
| June 11 | Primary election, last day for non-party candidates to file candidacy |
| June 17 | Last day for Independent candidates to file for general election |
| Oct. 15 | Voter registration deadline for general election |
| Nov. 5 | General election |
Primary Candidates
Democratic candidates
Terry McAuliffe - Former Democratic National Committee Chairman and presumptive Democratic nominee.[10][11]
Republican candidates
Ken Cuccinelli
- The current Attorney General of Virginia, Cuccinelli cemented his party's nomination for governor on January 13, 2013, being the only Republican to file the necessary paperwork by the convention's deadline. Afterward, he stated publicly that he intended to serve the entirety of his current term as attorney general. In Virginia, the last six consecutive elected attorneys general sought the governorship and stepped down early for campaign purposes, and [12] Cuccinelli's decision to break with tradition elicited criticism from Democrats and outgoing incumbent Bob McDonnell, who resigned the attorney general's post in Feb. 2009 before winning election as governor that November. Those criticizing Cuccinelli argue that absent this custom, the "full-time" demands of the attorney general's office cannot be met- and that taxpayers deserve more than a part-time leader.[13] Another reason attorneys general typically do not hold on to their jobs while seeking the top office is that there is a fundraising disadvantage associated with double duty. Virginia election law does not allow state officials running for state office to raise money for their campaigns during the General Assembly session, which will run 46 days starting in January.
Other candidates
Third party candidates
Declined
Bill Bolling- The current Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and one time GOP front-runner announced on March 12, 2013 that had decided against running as an Independent candidate, an alternative he seriously considered following his withdrawal from the Republican gubernatorial race on November 28, 2012. His decision to opt out of a Republican bid was a consequence of the Republican Party of Virginia's reintroduction of a closed nominating convention in 2013, a setting which Bolling believed lent conservative attorney general Ken Cuccinelli, his "intraparty rival,"[17] a categorical advantage.[18][17][19]-
Chap Peterson- a current state Senator[20] -
Mark Warner[21] Tom Perriello
February-May 2013
| Governor of Virginia: Cuccinelli v. McAuliffe | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response | Quinnipiac University (Feb. 14-18, 2013) | Roanoke College Poll (April 8-14, 2013) | Washington Post (Registered Voters) (April 29-May 2, 2013) | Washington Post (Likely Voters) (April 29-May 2, 2013) | NBC News/Marist Poll (April 28-May 2, 2013) | Quinnipiac University (May 8-13, 2013) | Average | |||||||
| Terry McAuliffe (D) | 38% | 29% | 41% | 41% | 43% | 43% | 39.17% | |||||||
| Ken Cuccinelli (R) | 38% | 34% | 46% | 51% | 41% | 38% | 41.333% | |||||||
| Undecided | 21% | 38% | 13% | 8% | 16% | 17% | 18.833% | |||||||
| Number polled | 1,112 | 629 | 887 | 663 | 1,095 | 1,286 | 945.33 | |||||||
| Margin of error | +/-2.0 | +/-3.9% | +/-4.0% | +/-5.0% | +/-3.0% | +/-2.7% | 3.43% | |||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | ||||||||||||||
Three way hypothetical match-up poll
| Governor of Virginia: Three-way race (with Bolling) | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response | Quinnipiac University (Feb. 14-18, 2013) | Average | ||||||||||||
| Terry McAuliffe (D) | 34% | 34% | ||||||||||||
| Ken Cuccinelli (R) | 31% | 31% | ||||||||||||
| Bill Bolling (I) | 13% | 13% | ||||||||||||
| Undecided | 21% | 21% | ||||||||||||
| Number polled | 1,112 | 1,112 | ||||||||||||
| Margin of error | +/-2.9 | 2.9% | ||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | ||||||||||||||
June 2012
| Governor of Virginia (Republican): Bolling v. Cuccinelli | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Response | Quinnipiac University May 30 - June 4, 2012 | Average | ||||||||||||
| Bill Bolling | 15% | 15% | ||||||||||||
| Ken Cuccinelli | 51% | 51% | ||||||||||||
| Someone else | 2% | 2% | ||||||||||||
| Wouldn't vote | 1% | 1% | ||||||||||||
| Don't know | 31% | 31% | ||||||||||||
| Number polled | 1,282 | 1,282 | ||||||||||||
| Margin of error | +/-2.7 | 2.7% | ||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | ||||||||||||||
Campaign websites
Terry McAuliffe |
Ken Cuccinelli |
Campaign advertisements
McAuliffe
|
|
Cuccinelli
|
|
- Ballots are set for Virginia state executive primary and convention April 10, 2013
- Change is in the air for Virginia's top office December 15, 2011
Additional reading
- In Virginia, top newsmakers to watch in 2013 - The Associated Press December 23, 2012
- The 5 Best Races of 2013 - The Washington Post November 30, 2012
See also
- Governor of Virginia
- Change is in the air for Virginia's top office
- Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2013
- Virginia attorney general election, 2013
External links
- Virginia State Board of Elections
- Virginia SBE 2013 Statewide Officials Candidate Bulletin
- Ken Cuccinelli - Official campaign website
- Terry McAuliffe - Official campaign site
References
- ↑ Richmond Times Dispatch, "Bolling on Cuccinelli: 'Nothing he does surprises me'," December 6, 2011
- ↑ The Washington Post, "GOP Fratricide in Virginia," December 1, 2012
- ↑ Washington Post, "Bill Bolling decides not to seek GOP nomination for VA governor," November 28, 2012
- ↑ The Roanoke Times, "Could Bolling run for governor as an independent?," November 28, 2102
- ↑ The Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Bolling regrets dropping out of the race so soon," April 22, 2013
- ↑ The Collegian, "Obama victory could cost Democrats Virginia governorship," November 15, 2012
- ↑ NBC 12- Decision Virginia 2013, "Transportation battle creates awkward political triangle," March 26, 2013
- ↑ Washington Post, "Cuccinelli vs. McAuliffe: Virginia governor’s race holds the eyes of the nation," March 29, 2013
- ↑ Associated Press - abc7.com, "Terry McAuliffe qualifies for Virginia June Democratic primary ballot," March 27, 2013
- ↑ Washington Post.com, "Cuccinelli revved up to race McAuliffe for Virginia governor," January 4, 2012
- ↑ Washington Post.com, "Cuccinelli revved up to race McAuliffe for Virginia governor," January 4, 2012
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedgopnom - ↑ The Washington Times, "Va. AG Cuccinelli will defy tradition, stay on job while campaigning," January 14, 2013
- ↑ FoxNews.com, "Gatecrasher for Governor: Tareq Salahi wants to call Virginia statehouse home," April 25, 2012
- ↑ News Times, "In Virginia, the top newsmakers to watch in 2013," December 23, 2012
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Salahi announces independent run for Va. governor," January 14, 2013
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 The Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Bolling says major announcement set for March 14," February 7, 2013
- ↑ Bill Bolling Lieutenant Governor, "Press release: Bolling Says No to Possible Independent Campaign for Governor," March 12, 2013
- ↑ The Roanoke Times, "Could Bolling run for governor as an independent?," November 28, 2102
- ↑ Washington Post.com, "Virginia state Sen Petersen will run for governor adviser says," April 30, 2012
- ↑ Blue Virginia, "Larry Sabato: Mark Warner might run for governor, could appoint his senate successor," February 8, 2012
| ||||||||||||||||
 |
State of Virginia Richmond (capital) |
|---|---|
| Ballot Measures |
List of Virginia ballot measures | Local measures | School bond issues | Ballot measure laws | History of direct democracy | Campaign Finance Requirements | Recall process | |
| Government |
Virginia State Constitution | House of Delegates | Senate | Division of Legislative Services | Board of Elections | |
| State executive officers |
Governor | Lieutenant Governor | Attorney General | Secretary of State | Treasurer | Auditor of Public Accounts | Superintendent of Public Instruction | Commissioner of Insurance | Commissioner of Agriculture | Secretary of Natural Resources | Commissioner of Labor and Industry | Chairman of State Corporation Commission | |
| Judiciary |
Virginia Supreme Court | Court of Appeals | Circuit Court | Judicial nomination process | Judicial news | Judicial activist organizations | |
| Transparency Topics |
Freedom of Information Act | Transparency Checklist | Government corruption reports | Transparency Legislation | Open Records procedures | Transparency Advocates | Transparency blogs | State budget | Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations | |
| Divisions |
State |
List of Counties |
List of Cities |
List of Towns |
List of School Districts | |
