In a statement concurrently posted on the Democratic blog,
Blue Virginia,[1]
and Facebook, former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello stated his intention to stay out
of the governor’s race in Virginia for 2013 and his endorsement of fellow
Democrat, Terry McAuliffe, for governor.[2]
Perriello explained that he doesn’t “feel called to served
in elected office at this time,” while admitted that he had “considered a run
for governor.”
Perriello, 38 years of age, has plenty of time to make
another political run in the future. And has Perriello noted himself, he can be
a part of the political fight without being a formal contender for elected
office. Perriello stated, “I do not need to have my name on the ballot to be a
part of the fight.”[3]
That sounds a lot like Perriello plans on being part of the fight!
For now, Perriello will continue in his role as president of
the Center for American Progress Action, leaving Terry McAuliffe as the clear
Democratic Party nominee favorite for governor.
For Virginia’s Democratic Party and its base, a not
insignificant schism was probably avoided by Perriello’s decision not to run
for governor, even though some Virginia notables have already lined up behind
McAuliffe.[4]
If McAuliffe can pull out a win for governor against the
presumptive Republican nominee for governor, Ken Cuccinelli, the 2012-13
election cycle will have been a great success for the Democratic Party of
Virginia in particular. Before 2008 and President Obama’s victory in the
commonwealth, most commentators had written Virginia off as solid red, but
those times are changing.
But electoral victory is only the first step, albeit a large
one, in meeting the policy goals that left leaning Virginians desire. Thus, we
have to look and act beyond the ballot box to see effective change in Virginia.
It looks like we’re on the right path but we have to keep working at it to
sustain our momentum.
[1] http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/8275/breaking-tom-perriello-announces-he-will-not-run-for-virginia-governor-in-2013
[2] http://hamptonroads.com/2012/12/perriello-declines-bid-governor-endorses-mcauliffe
[3] http://hamptonroads.com/2012/12/perriello-declines-bid-governor-endorses-mcauliffe
[4] http://wn.com/Ben_Tribbett_of_Not_Larry_Sabato_Endorses_Terry_McAuliffe_for_Governor#/videos
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