Tom Perriello decides against Va. governor bid

By Ben Pershing,December 05, 2012

Former representative Tom Perriello announced Wednesday that he would not run for the Democratic gubernatorial nod in Virginia next year, making it clear that he supports businessman Terry McAuliffe for the spot.

McAuliffe is expected to face Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) in a closely watched general election contest, as both men have now dodged potential intraparty opponents. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said last week that he would not challenge Cuccinelli for the Republican nomination, leaving an expected battle between an outspoken Republican who is loved by his party base and a Democrat who previously ran the national party and has been angling for the governor’s mansion since losing in the 2009 primary.

Perriello, who held the Charlottesville-based 5th congressional seat for one term before losing in 2010, is revered by many liberal activists in Virginia and across the country, and some on the left have urged him to consider a statewide bid. Perriello released a statement Wednesday saying that he had been inspired by last month’s election results.

“In this spirit, I have considered a run for Governor, and am genuinely touched by the outpouring of support,” he said in the statement. “I do not feel called to serve in elected office at this time, but I do not need to have my name on the ballot to be part of the fight.”

Perriello said he would continue his role with the liberal think tank Center for American Progress to battle for progressive causes and against Republican ideas he considers extreme.

“No one has worked harder to prevent this extreme agenda from reaching the Governor’s mansion than Terry McAuliffe,” Perriello said. “I hope that progressives and moderates can unite as Virginians choose between the worst of our past and the best of our future. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says what he believes, but those divisive beliefs are devastating to our Commonwealth. I will be supporting Terry and all of those who are willing to put their names on the ballot to keep Virginia moving forward.”

In a statement released shortly after Perriello’s, McAuliffe praised Perriello as “a courageous and principled fighter for progressive values and one of our party’s best spokesmen on issues of economic fairness.”