Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling on Wednesday abruptly dropped his long-held plans to run for governor next year, clearing the way for conservative firebrand Ken Cuccinelli to take the Republican nomination on his way to what is certain to be a bruising ideological battle next fall.

With Bolling’s exit, Cuccinelli, the state’s attorney general, is on a collision course with former Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe to replace outgoing Gov. Bob McDonnell.