Multiple news agencies are reporting that Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will run for governor in 2013, forgoing a second term as the state’s top lawyer in hopes of knocking off heir-apparent Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.
Citing unnamed sources, the Washington Post first reported Wednesday night and the Associated Press confirmed Thursday that Cuccinelli will announce his bid next week. The move bucks previous speculation that Cuccinelli would defer to Bolling in 2013 and possibly run against U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., in 2014.
Cuccinelli’s office did not immediately return calls this morning.
Bolling has won the backing of popular Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell after he chose to run for a second term as lieutenant governor in 2009 instead of oppose McDonnell in a primary. Bolling had hoped Cuccinelli would do the same for him.
“Obviously, we don’t know what Ken Cuccinelli’s intentions are,” Bolling chief of staff Randy Marcus said. “Lt. Gov. Bolling has made clear that he intends to run for governor in 2013 and we hope that Ken will be a part of our ticket. We think that would be best for the Republican Party.”
Cuccinelli is a favorite among Tea Party groups for aggressively seeking legal action against President Obama’s administration and testifying on Capitol Hill against environmental regulations. Democrats decry those same actions as evidence that Cuccinelli utilizes his office to fight political battles.
