The first in a series of posts exploring the 2009 and 2010 gubernatorial and congressional contests.
The 2009 Virginia gubernatorial race was bound to be interesting, not just because the state is on the precipice of turning bright blue for the foreseeable future, but also due to the collection of state government veterans vying for the job. But then a big dog – former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe – announced his interest in launching his first bid for office, a move that could potentially throw the whole contest out of whack.
McAuliffe’s fundraising prowess, big name staffers, even bigger personality and longstanding ties to Clintonland could help him raise the $30M or more he might need to bury his opponents. But then, of course, the McLean resident is, as far as some VA politicos are concerned, the new kid in town. If he declares his candidacy, he would also be up against three state lawmakers, the GOP nominee included, who are respected by colleagues and known throughout the state.
Democratic Del. Brian Moran, 49, launched his bid for governor almost a year ago. He has been a member of the VA House since 1996 and Democratic leader since 2001. As of July, he raised $1.4M, more than twice as much as his primary rival to date, state Sen. Creigh Deeds.
Steve Jarding, who served as campaign manager to Mark Warner in 2001 and Jim Webb in 2006, is advising Moran’s campaign. The campaign has also hired pollster Al Quinlan of Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner.
Moran’s team has dubbed him VA’s Rahm Emanuel. Translation -- Moran has helped resuscitate a struggling Democratic party at the State House, proving that he has the strength to lead not just the party but also the state, in the tradition of centrist leadership launched by the last two Democratic governors, Warner and Tim Kaine.
“We’re confident that Del. Moran’s two decades of public service, his work with Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and his vision for the future are what Virginia Democratic voters are looking for in the next governor,” said Jesse Ferguson, communications director for Moran’s campaign.
Deeds, 50, who lost a tight battle for attorney general in 2005, is also vying for the Democratic nomination. In fact, he is using the same team of consultants who advised his 2005 campaign against Republican Bob McDonnell, who is his party’s nominee for governor: David Dixon of the Dixon/Davis Media Group; pollster Dave Petts of Bennett, Petts & Normington; and Kevin Mack of Mack/Crounse Group, a direct mail firm.
Deeds, from Bath County, which is located in the southwestern corner of the state, raised $650K as of his July filing.
Peter Jackson, a spokesman for Deeds, said the Democratic primary will be won by the candidate who best targets voters and pitches his experience.
“The question is which nominee is going to carry on the Warner/Kaine legacy,” Jackson said.
Notice a theme?
Well McAuliffe might not be able to lay rightful claim to the Warner/Kaine legacy, but with the nation's economy in the doldrums, he might have a thing or two to say about his work to secure Bill Clinton’s success – and, by extension, the prosperous 1990s.
McAuliffe, who has embarked on a 60-day listening tour, has also brought top national Democratic talent to his potential effort. Mike Henry, a veteran of Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, is serving as a senior advisor to the exploratory. He managed Warner’s 2008, Kaine’s 2005 campaign and ran the VA coordinated campaign in 2001. Most recently, Jenn Nadicksbernd, also serving as senior advisor, was finance director for Warner’s senate race. She was Northern VA finance director for Kaine in 2005. Also signing on is Mo Elleithee, who worked with McAuliffe on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, and has previously served on Warner and Kaine campaign staffs.
To say that McAuliffe, with his booming voice and boundless energy, would have little trouble mining his political network to raise money for a campaign is an understatement.
“In terms of resources, if he gets in, we don’t intend to lose this race because of a lack of resources,” Elleithee said.
McAuliffe, 51, is expected to announce his intentions Jan. 7.
On the Republican side, McDonnell, the VA attorney general, is the party’s nominee. Filings were due Nov. 5, so McDonnell is the only candidate in the mix. As the Democrats duke it out, he’ll be able to pitch his candidacy and travel the state without dirtying his hands in a primary fight. He’s also the only candidate running who has won a statewide contest.
Though the deal hasn’t yet been solidified, it appears that pollster Glen Bolger of Public Opinion Strategies and Doug McAuliffe of McAuliffe Message Media will work for the campaign.
McDonnell’s finance director is Christie Smith (who worked for Commonwealth Consultants), and he has three regional finance consultants: Commonwealth Consultants, which is based out of Fairfax did all of John McCain’s fundraising in 2008; Sandy Canada in Hampton Roads; and Christie Heath in Richmond.
The campaign had $1.2M cash on hand in July.
McDonnell, 54, was raised in the Alexandria area and lives now in Glen Allen -- points his campaign manager, Phil Cox, mentions to show McDonnell has ties to two state vote centers.
“Del. Moran has been one of the more liberal members of the House of Delegates in his career,” Cox said. “And Terry McAuliffe has served the Clintons. So we’re fine. We’re very comfortable facing any of the three candidates on the Democrat side. We’re very confident that we’re going to be victorious next November.”
And perhaps not surprisingly, Cox added: "Bob McDonnell is the only statewide official in the race. He has the very important responsibility as attorney general, representing all the citizens of the Commonwealth. Frankly, a great number of those folks who supported Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are going to wind up supporting Bob McDonnell."
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
