While Democrats spent their spring preoccupied with a grueling, three-way primary for governor, Republicans quietly started opening field offices around the state to get ready for the November election.

The so-called "victory" offices -- a joint venture of the Republican Party of Virginia and the Republican National Committee -- will number 20 by the end of this week.

So far, about 30 staffers have been hired to identify voters, promote the Republican ticket (three statewide offices and House of Delegates) and eventually work to get people to the polls in all corners of the state. In Northern Virginia, offices are located in Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties.

By comparison, Democrats -- who were waiting on a nominee for the top of the ticket -- have about five coordinated campaign offices in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Richmond.

With all this talk about Gov. Tim Kaine's refusal to release his political schedule, we wondered what the men wanting to replace him think about the ongoing debate.

Both Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell told us that they would disclose complete schedules, including political activities, if elected.

Deeds was careful not to criticize the man whose coattails he is trying to ride into the governor's mansion, but made it clear he would handle the situation differently.

We tried to get Deeds directly on this topic, but he would not make himself available. His spokesman Jared Leopold said: "Creigh Deeds is committed to transparency in government."

Republican Bob McDonnell sent a letter to Democrat Creigh Deeds this morning asking for 10 gubernatorial debates across the state.

The two have already agreed to a July 25 debate at the Homestead resort in Deeds' home county of Bath.

McDonnell sent Deeds a schedule of debates that would start July 25 and conclude with a final debate at the University of Virginia on Oct. 20, two weeks before Election Day. Each would be available on TV, radio or Internet.

"Virginians are tired of sound bite campaigns,'' McDonnell said in a statement. "They want to know where the candidates stand on the issues of today. And they want to hear this directly from the candidates."

We are awaiting a response from the Deeds campaign and will let you know when we get it.

UPDATE: Deeds said this afternoon that he is eager to debate McDonnell but he had not yet read McDonnell's press release and his campaign is evaluating the issue.

"I'm not going to let Bob McDonnell dictate my campaign schedule," he said. Deeds noted he participated in eight forums and debates during the run-up to the recent Democratic primary, outings he said helped boost his campaign from third to first place.

"I'm not afraid of debating Bob," Deeds said, but, he added, "The modern logistics of scheduling these things are tough, because you're trying to get two campaigns together."

"I think we'll probably end up with a debate schedule much like past years," he said.

This time it wasn't so difficult to find Gov. Tim Kaine. We just looked at President Obama's schedule.

Kaine will appear with Obama tomorrow at a healthcare townhall at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale.

Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, spent Monday in New York and Washington on party business. Tonight, he will appear at a fundraising reception for Del. David Poisson at the Trump National Golf Club in Potomac Falls.

The first endorsements of the general election are starting to roll in.

Today, Democrat Creigh Deeds won the support of the Service Employees International Union, which has more than 5,000 members in Virginia. SEIU will be the first in a long line of labor unions standing behind Deeds.

"Hardworking women and men simply cannot afford to slip any farther behind in this economy, and they want their next governor to not just understand their concerns but to fight for them,'' SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger said. "Senator Deeds has an impressive record fighting on behalf of working families and has earned his reputation as a consensus builder who the working families of Virginia can count on."

Vice President Joe Biden, well known for his verbal gaffes, accidently introduced Tim Kaine as the "great governor of New Jersey" this weekend at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington.

You'd think Biden would remember Kaine a little bit better. Not only is Virginia's governor chairman of the Democratic National Committee, he was one of the three finalists for the job Biden eventually won.

The event wasn't a total loss for Kaine. The chairman helped the DNC raise $1 million at the 10th annual LGBT Leadership Council fundraiser.

Pat Mullins, leader of the state GOP, said this morning that he is "disappointed" that Gov. Tim Kaine refused to release his full calendar, which would include his work as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

But, Mullins said, the Republican Party has decided not to pursue the Freedom of Information Act request further in court.

"As a Virginia resident, I continue to believe that the people have the right to know where their elected governor is, especially when he leaves the boundaries of the commonwealth for political business unrelated to the concerns of the taxpayers of Virginia,'' Mullins said.

Repeated attempts to review Kaine's schedule by the Washington Post have been unsuccessful. The requests made through the governor's office, the DNC and Kaine's political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward, have been denied or gone unanswered.

View An Often-Absent Governor in a larger map

Despite saying he would largely conduct Democratic National Committee work on weekends, Gov. Tim Kaine spent yesterday in Philadelphia on DNC business. He will do the same next Monday when he travels to New York.

The Washington Post has learned that Kaine, the new DNC chairman, has been to North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Missouri and Ohio in recent months in addition to attending frequent fundraisers across the state and in Washington. Read our story today here.

Bob Edgar, president of Common Cause, a nonprofit group in Washington that monitors government ethics issues, said in an interview this week that he did not think Kaine should have taken the DNC job while he was still govenor, but since he did he should be upfront about what he is doing.

"If he is going to do two jobs he has to do more than the letter of the law,'' he said. "If he is going to be governor and head of the Democratic party at the same time he has a moral responsibilty to make, as transparent as possible, his whereabouts.''

We may not know when Gov. Tim Kaine is flying around the country for the DNC, but we are starting to get a better idea of when he is doing his in-state fundraising.

Tonight, Kaine attended at a fundraiser for Del. Chuck Caputo at the Centreville home of Steve and Lu Ann McNabb, friends of a family of a Tech student who died in the 2007 shootings.

Tomorrow night, he is expected at a fundraiser for Del. Joe Morrissey at Old City Bar in Richmond. Saturday afternoon, he will head to Virginia Beach for a barbeque with Sen. John Miller and a fundraiser for Del. Joe Bouchard.

No word on whether Kaine is heading out of state this week for DNC fundraising trips. As usual, we will let you know when we know.

It seems like every Republican considering a possible presidential run in 2012 is coming to Virginia to help Bob McDonnell and, in the process, raising their profile in the swing state.

Haley Barbour was just the latest.

The Mississippi governor is spending the day with McDonnell at fundraisers in Virginia Beach, Richmond and Alexandria. The Richmond event at the Marriott was attended by House Speaker Bill Howell and Attorney General Bill Mims, among others. The three events are expected to raise $250,000.

Last Sunday, Gov. Tim Kaine wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post blaming state transportation woes on House Republicans.

Today, House Speaker Bill Howell offers his response. Check it out here.

For a few years, transportation was the issue in Virginia. It died down this year, but these two pieces are a clear sign that transportation will play a significant role in this year's House elections.

Creigh Deeds' campaign is going through a lot of changes as it heads into the general election.

We told you about his many new hires a couple days ago. Now word is out that his longtime aide Peter Jackson is leaving.

Jackson, who worked on Deeds' 2005 unsuccessful campaign for attorney general, had served as executive director of the Future Deeds political action committee, spokesman and senior advisor. Jackson was the guy with the institutional memory and his departure is surprising considering he was one of Deeds' longest serving aides.

On Monday, he will start a new job as communications director for the Congressional Oversight Panel on TARP. "Even though I'll be working on the other side of the Potomac, don't be surprised to see me putting up yard signs and helping out Creigh's campaign in whatever way I can,'' he wrote in an email to friends.yesterday.

After reading that Gov. Tim Kaine has been in Chicago and Kansas City in the last couple weeks, Virginia Republicans are asking just where Kaine's job as chairman of the Democratic National Committee is taking him.

The Republican Party of Virginia has sent a public records request for Kaine's schedule to the governor's office and produced a video mocking him for his repeated absences from the state.

We've asked repeatedly for Kaine's various gubernatorial and political schedules, so far with no success -- if you attend or hear about an out-of state appearance, let us know. But make no mistake that the Republicans are not asking just for the sake of public information. They are trying to tarnish the reputation of a popular governor in a election year in which a Democrat is trying to ride his coattails into the governor's mansion.

We told you the other day that we weren't sure where Gov. Tim Kaine's travels as DNC chairman were taking him. He sure isn't telling us. But today, we learned he will be in Kansas City tomorrow.

Thanks to the folks at the Kansas City Star, we know Kaine will be at the home of Mira and Kris Flint of Kansas City for a fundraiser for Organizing for America, a group that pushes President Obama's policies. (The original newspaper post called Kaine the former governor of Virginia, but they quickly corrected their mistake).

Kaine's official schedule as governor lists public events Monday and Tuesday and nothing for the rest of the week. No word from the DNC on his event tomorrow. But we did hear he appeared at a fundraiser for Del. David Toscano Tuesday in downtown Charlottesville.

We'll keep our eyes open for Kaine's other trips and let you know what we find out.

Consider it the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship.

The Democratic Governors Association gave Creigh Deeds $100,000 last Wednesday -- a much-needed financial boost a day after a tough three-way primary in which Deeds spent every penny he could on TV ads.

So far, the DGA has spent more than $3 million in Virginia's closely watched governor's race. Almost all of it has gone to Common Sense Virginia, a political action committee formed to attack Republican Bob McDonnell.

McDonnell has received $1.95 million from the Republican Governors Association. You can expect both McDonnell and Deeds to receive millions more before this election is over.

Newt Gingrich's American Solutions will send letters to gubernatorial candidates, Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell this afternoon, asking them to oppose a federal proposal that the groups says would establish a national tax system on energy.

"As leaders who aspire to lead Virginia forward, you have a responsibility to speak out now to protect the commonwealth from proposed laws that would kill jobs in Virginia,'' Dan Varroney, the group's senior vice president writes in his letter. "Your leadership responsibility is to help create Virginia jobs, not support their destruction (either actively or through silence)."

American Solutions is kicking off a national campaign to oppose the bill in Congress. The push begins in Virginia with information being sent to the group's 55,000 members and an advertising blitz starting next week.

Updated: Republican McDonnell responded swiftly -- as you would expect -- calling on Deeds and Gov. Tim Kaine to join him in opposing the bill that "would increase taxes and unemployment in Virginia." He cited multiple studies from groups on either side of the political spectrum that say the bill would hurt the economy.

"It would hurt Virginia's competitiveness in the world economy, raise our electricity rates and have a direct impact on every Virginia citizen. It's a job-killer,'' McDonnell said in a statement. "The...legislation under consideration is exactly the wrong approach to take. It is a heavy-handed big government approach based on ideology, not science."

Republican Bob McDonnell frequently talks about how he is the business friendly candidate in the governor's race.

But what about his rival, Democrat Creigh Deeds?

In newly released rankings from Virginia FREE, a Richmond-based coalition of businesses from across the state, Deeds received a 72 as his 2009 business ranking -- a score that that is based on this year's General Assembly voting record and incumbent evaluations done by leading business lobbyists.

His score is higher than most other Democrats, but lower than most Republicans in the 40-member state senate. Twenty five senators have a higher ranking than him.

Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, the newly minted Democratic nominee for governor, clapsed hands with his party's elite, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, this afternoon at an outdoor rally as he pledged to follow in their footsteps if he wins in November.

Deeds gave a brief but energetic speech promising to turn Virginia into a leader in renewable energy, make college more affordable and accessible and fix the state's transportation problems.

"We are taking this state forward,'' Deeds said. "In this election the choices will be stark. Do we move back to failed policies of the past or do we move forward?"

Deeds was joined for the first time by the rest of November's Democratic ticket -- lieutenant governor nominee Jody Wagner and attorney general nominee Steve Shannon -- and U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, Rep. Bobby Scott, Dick Cranwell, chairman of the state Democratic party, and members of the General Assembly, including Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw and House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong.

Democrats from across the state munched barbecue sandwiches and baked beans and waved blue Deeds signs on a lawn on the College of William and Mary campus. But the sunshine gave way to rain, and the speeches were cut short as the 250 supporters ran for cover.

Tuesday's Democratic primary brought an end to all television ads in the govornor's race, including those attacking Republican Bob McDonnell paid for by the Democratic Governors Association.

But it's unclear how long that will last.

The future of the DGA-funded political action committee, Common Sense Virginia, which has spent nearly $3 million on ads criticizing McDonnell, remains uncertain.

Creigh Deeds, the newly minted Democratic nominee, said he has not given any thought to whether those ads should continue. "I am sure we will have some conversations in the coming weeks,'' he said. "I have not put any thought into that."

Emily DeRose, a DGA spokeswoman, also said no decisions have been made. "The future remains to be seen."

Of course, regardless of who is paying, we know that the political ads for and against Deeds and McDonnell will be back. But maybe we will get a reprieve until the end of the summer.

Jody Wagner sure hit the ground running after her landslide victory in Tuesday's primary.

This morning, Wagner, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, challenged Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) to a series of monthly debates across the state.

That's a lot of debates -- more than we will likely see in any of the three statewide races.

"I believe it's important that voters have a clear understanding of both candidates, including our records, priorities, and visions for the future,'' Wagner wrote to Bolling in a letter. "I believe voters throughout the commonwealth deserve to hear from both of us, so they're able to make informed decisions in November about the direction they believe is best for Virginia."

Matt Wells, Bolling's campaign manager, said he looks forward to a "vigorous discussion of the candidate's qualifications, their records and their vision for the future of Virginia,'' but would not commit to a certain number of debates. "I'm confident there will be opportunities for debates during the course of the campaign," he said.

President Obama appointed Don Beyer, a former Democratic lieutenant governor and a Northern Virginia car dealer, ambassador to Switzerland and the principality of Liechtenstein.

Beyer was an early supporter of Obama in Virginia and served Obama's mid-Atlantic finance chairman during last year's campaign. He and his wife, Megan, raised more than $1.5 million for Obama.

Obama was the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state in more than four decades.

Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds launched his general election campaign today at a solidarity rally with his two vanquished opponents and Gov. Tim Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Terry McAuliffe, former DNC chairman, former delegate Brian Moran, and their senior campaign staff, milled around the state Democratic headquarters, many wearing blue Deeds stickers. Members of the exuberant crowd held massive blue letters spelling their new standard-bearer's name: D E E D S.

"They both committed to help me anyway they can,'' Deeds said of his former rivals. "I'm going to hold them to that."

Kaine met briefly with the three men behind closed doors. (Wouldn't you have loved to be a fly on that wall?)

"I want to begin by saying how proud I am of Virginia Democrats,'' Kaine said. "That our three great candidates would all get up and shelp down to Richmond for this and stand together and to pledge that we are going to keep Virginia moving forward in a good direction is a wonderful tribute to all of them."

We told you a little earlier that newly minted Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds spoke briefly to President Barack Obama at around 11 this morning. It turns out both Obama and Vice President Joe Biden both called in the hours after he won his come-from-behind-victory Tuesday.

"It was pretty cool," Deeds said of his brief call from Obama. "I like him a lot. He was just personable. He offered help. He had ideas. He had watched this campaign. He was knowledgeable about the approach we took to things."

Deeds said Obama, then a U.S. senator, had campaigned with him previously in Norfolk and Richmond when Deeds was running for attorney general in 2005 against Republican Bob McDonnell.

So where was Bob McDonnell today while his three Democrats rivals campaigned hard in the last full day before tomorrow's primary?

Spending some quality time with his family.

The Republican nominee's in-laws, Frank and Gerry Gardner, introduced him to the residents at the vast Greenspring Retirement Community, where they live.

Greenspring, home to 2,000 residents, is a frequent stop for statewide candidates looking to meet some Virginians who are regular voters.

Democratic gubernatorial Terry McAuliffe appeared in front of 100 enthusiastic supporters wearing bright blue "McAuliffe for governor" stickers at a coffee shop near Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. McAuliffe signs snaked around the coffee shop and up and around the adjacent streets.

He bounded up the makeshift stage, wearing a suit jacket on one of the hotter days this summer, after he was introduced as the next governor of commonwealth of Virginia.

"Tomorrow's the big day!'' McAuliffe said to a crowd waving blue McAuliffe for governor signs. "This has been what you are working on for months!"

McAuliffe, who was losing his voice, rattled off his campaign's get-out-the vote-effort: Six thousand volunteers are projected to make 1 million phone calls and knocked on 8,500 doors in the state.

If you're trying to figure out which House of Delegates races will be the most competitive in Tuesday's primary, and later this fall, just follow the money.

Below find the 10 candidates that raised the most money in the two-month period that ended May 27, as compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonpartisan tracker of money in Virginia politics.

You'll notice that seven out of the 10 are Democratic candidates. Is that a sign that the Democrats have more strength heading into fall elections? Maybe not. Of the 12 primaries on Tuesday, nine are among Democrats, including four in Northern Virginia, so they have to have money right away..

Democrats are working hard to regain control of the 100-member House, which has been in Republican hands since 1999. They have won 11 seats since 2003 and need to win six more to win the majority.

Democratical gubernatorial hopeful Brian Moran began his day at a small Baptist church in the Highland Park neighborhood on the north side of Richmond -- the same place his rival, R. Creigh Deeds, appeared two months ago.

Only about 50 people attended the 8 a.m. service at Fifth Street Baptist Church, where the windows were adorned with stained glass and a yellow banner read "Bringing the Kingdom to the Community."

Evelyn Morris-Harris, chairwoman of the Democratic Black Caucus of Virginia, invited Moran to her church of six years and introduced him to the congregation.

"He's a family orientated man,'' she told them. "And we look for that. We need that. We need someone who understands what family is all about."

Here's how we can tell we're in the midst of the final days of a hard-fought race: The attacks are coming fast and furious. It's hard to even keep up.

Each of the three Democrats running for governor -- Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran -- are accusing each other of unfair attacks daily. Forget daily. Try every few hours.

Most of the attacks have been aimed at Deeds, who recent polls show surging ahead of his rivals, and his lengthy record of support for gun rights.

McAuliffe sent out a mailer that poses the question: "Which of the Democratic candidates supports concealed weapons in bars?" And Moran has been hammering Deeds in his own campaign mailer as well as in radio interviews.

Now, Deeds is fighting back.

Bill Clinton, who has helped out his pal Terry McAuliffe throughout his race for governor, is at it again.

In the final frenzied days of campaigning before Tuesday's primary, the former president has recorded a phone call for McAuliffe asking Virginians to get out and vote.

"As your governor, Terry McAuliffe will fight harder than anyone to improve the economy and create jobs,'' Clinton says. Listen to the call here (MP3).

Clinton is making at least one more appearance in Virginia today to help out McAuliffe. He will be at McAuliffe's McLean home for a barbecue.

A couple months ago, Terry McAuliffe blasted Bob McDonnell for keeping quiet while his surrogate Mike Huckabee encouraged Virginia Republicans to keep voters from the polls on Election Day.

Well, today, McAuliffe's surrogate, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer sounded like he was trying to suppress a few votes himself when he said -- jokingly? -- that supporters of McAuliffe rivals, Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran, should show up at the polls on Thursday, instead of Tuesday.

"The other two guys are good guys," Schweitzer said at an Arlington stop with McAuliffe this morning. "They're in the legislature. No one's campaigning against anyone. And if you decide you're going to vote for one of the other guys, show up on Thursday."

No, it wasn't a slip of the tongue.

As we all now know gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe was endorsed this morning by Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who also happens to be chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.

So what's been the response from his rivals?

Democrat Creigh Deeds tweeted about it this morning: "well I guess terry has a leg up in the montana precincts."

Brian Moran's campaign manager Andrew Roos said: "The guy who was rumored to be running for governor of New York, and wanted to be governor of Florida is having the governor of Montana tell us why he should be governor of Virginia?''

Former governor L. Douglas Wilder finally endorses in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

No, not for governor.

Wilder, the nation's first elected black governor, endorsed Fairfax County Del. Bob Hull, who is in a surprisingly tough Democratic primary race against Fairfax School Board memeber Kaye Kory. He recorded robocalls for the man he calls his friend.

Wilder was governor when Hull was first elected to the General Assembly in 1992. "You could have no better person representing your interests in Richmond than Bob Hull," Wilder says in the call.

The folks at OpenCarry.org, a gun rights group, have done something we never would have expected: They endorsed Brian Moran in the Democratic primary for governor.

Moran, a former delegate from Alexandria who has a lengthy record of gun control votes, had no idea he was getting the endorsement -- or even why. As you might imagine, an endorsement from a gun rights group is not exactly what a candidate is looking for in a Democratic primary -- especially one who is trying to appeal to the most liberal voters.

So why did OpenCarry.org pick Moran, especially over state Sen. Creigh Deeds, who is well known for his gun rights votes and his NRA endorsement in 2005?

The group's Mike Stollenwerk says they don't trust Deeds anymore because he has changed his views on gun issues over the last couple years.

Gov. Tim Kaine talked high-speed rail today with Mr. Amtrak himself, Vice President Joe Biden.

Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was one of a handful of governors at the White House today to chat with Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The roundtable was billed as a unique opportunity for state leaders to share their ideas with the Obama administration about the future of high-speed trains in America.

"Everyone knows I'm a big believer in our nation's rail system -- I've devoted a big part of my career doing what I can to support it -- and I'm proud that this administration is about to transform that system fundamentally," Biden said in a statement.

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Creigh Deeds will begin airing ads tonight on broadcast and cable TV in the pricey Northern Virginia market, and will continue them through the Tuesday primary.

The 30-second ad, Tradition, touts Deeds' recent endorsement from the Washington Post and claims that he is the "most prepared Democrat to build on the Warner-Kaine legacy."

Deeds' latest TV buy means the state senator from Bath County will be on TV in every media market in the state in the five days leading to the primary. Rival Terry McAuliffe began airing ads in Northern Virginia this week.

Is Deeds surging?

Six days before the Democratic primary for governor, that's certainly what state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds wants us to think.

His campaign has been quietly -- and not so quietly -- letting everyone who will listen know he is moving ahead in recent polls and could go down as one of the greatest come-from-behind success stories in recent state history. (Okay, well since Jim Webb, anyway).

"This huge surge for Creigh happened because of you,'' Deeds' campaign manager Joe Abbey wrote in a letter to supporters this week. "Now that we are in the lead, we can expect our opponents to come out swinging."

Three days after the state Republican convention, we finally have gotten our hands on the vote totals of the more than 10,000 delegates Saturday.

In the closest race, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II of Fairfax garnered 57 percent of the vote to become his party's nominee for attorney general. He defeated former federal prosecutor John Brownlee, who received 37 percent, and David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board, who received six percent.

Cuccinelli, who will face Del. Stephen C. Shannon (D-Fairfax) in November, won with surprising ease. The hard-fought attorney general contest was widely expected to go to a second, maybe third, ballot but Cuccinelli secured the 50 percent he needed to win on the first try.

Another day, another new ad. Actually today, two new ads.

Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran release new TV ads today. McAuliffe's ad uses one of his better lines from the debates (President Kennedy didn't say we're going halfway to the moon - he said we're going all the way!) while Moran takes a swipe at Republican nominee Bob McDonnell.

We told you yesterday that Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe has raised more cash than his rivals, R. Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran, heading into the final week of the primary.

Today, we are providing you with some of the interesting tidbits about their donations, according to campaign filings made public last night. Check back often because we will be updating this post as we discover new fun facts.

Both Deeds and Moran received money from Dominion Virginia Power's political action committee. Deeds' $5,000 came the day after he criticized McAuliffe about his pledge to refuse campaign contributions from one of the most influential companies in the state. Moran's $10,000 came after he stated in interviews that he had taken less money his opponents.

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe raised $1.8 million in the two-month period ending last week. He has nearly $1.3 million cash on hand as he heads into the last week before next Tuesday's primary.

Brian Moran raised $844,000 in the same period and has $700,000 in the bank. Creigh Deeds, raised $676,326 and has $521,135 in the bank. 

Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell raised $3.7-million. He goes into the general election with $4.9 millon cash on hand.

Today is the deadline for candidates to report to the state how much money they raised in the two-month period ending last week. For Democrats, it will give us a good idea of how much money they have to spend on TV ads and-get-out-the-vote efforts as they head into the final week before next Tuesday's primary. For Republicans, it will tell us how much money they have going into the general election.

We will be providing you information as we get them from the candidates, so check back often as the day progresses. See other statewide candidates below:

While Virginia Republicans spent the weekend getting energized for the state's off-year elections this fall, Gov. Tim Kaine flew to Miami Beach to try to set the groundwork for Democratic wins across the nation next year.

Kaine, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was the keynote speaker at the Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson dinner last night in Florida, where five statewide offices are on the ballot next year.

Kaine told the crowd of 1,100 that he was looking forward to helping the Democrats win back the Florida governor's mansion -- which will be vacated by Republican Charlie Crist who plans to run for U.S. Senate -- in one of the nation's battleground states.

"I understand your current governor has decided that he's had enough after a couple of years. The economy is tough, and there's tough decisions to be made and he wants to leave those to somebody else. Hey, we're glad to take it," said Kaine, according to the Associated Press. "We do very well at coming in to tough situations that others have left."

Creigh Deeds was endorsed by the newspapers in Martinsville and Bristol today, a week after our colleagues on the editorial board at the Washington Post did the same.

It's not particularly surprising for Deeds to receive backing in the south and southwest parts of the state, where he is expected to do better than his Northern Virginia-based opponents, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran.

But it is fair to note that, so far, Deeds has picked up support from the only three daily newspapers that have endorsed in the Democratic primary. Several major newspapers in the state, including the Richmond Times Dispatch and the Virginian Pilot in Norfolk, will not endorse.

Newspaper endorsements, especially those in Martinsville and Bristol, are not likely to change a lot of votes. But it helps perpetuate Deeds' message that he has seen momentum in the last few weeks and definitely should not be counted out. Besides, in a low turnout primary -- as this one is expected to be -- every little bit counts.

Bob McDonnell never mentioned his Democratic rivals by name in his speech today officially accepting the Republican nomination for governor. He didn't have to.

Enough other prominent Republicans made it clear this weekend at the state GOP convention in Richmond that they think former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe will win the primary next month and compete against McDonnell in the general election.

Here's what U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, the House minority and an all around popular guy at the convention, said about McAuliffe:

"He saw Virginia's governship pop up on ebay and he wants to buy it,'' he told more than 10,000 cheering Republicans. "We won't let him do that."

The state Republican convention will kick off shortly at the Richmond Coliseum (where people are not allowed to bring in bottled water, but they are allowed to bring in guns).

More than 10,000 delegates have gathered here for an event that seems a lot like a national political convention complete with colorful political signs, campaign literature covering seats, cardboard cutouts of Mitt Romney, campaign buttons that declare "No Bama."

Bob McDonnell, the former attorney general, will officially accept his party's nomination for governor this morning. Delegates will pick Republican candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general, and chose a new party chairman.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling faces Alexandria lawyer Patrick Muldoon. Former federal prosecutor John Brownlee, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II of Fairfax and David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board, are running for attorney general. Pat Mullins, a longtime Fairfax County GOP leader tapped by the party's governing board to serve as interim state leader, faces Bill Stanley, the Franklin County party chairman.

We'll be offering occasionally updates as the day progresses. Check out the latest below:

Sadly, Mitt Romney decided not to announce his 2012 candidacy for president of the United States in Virginia tonight -- much to the disappointment of reporters and supporters.

Romney, who has spent two days in the state campaigning for Virginia's top Republicans Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling, sidestepped questions at a press conference about whether he would run for president in 2012.

"2012 is a horizon way too distant to make calls on at this time,'' he said. "I'm going to be working hard to get Republicans elected this year and in 2010."

The former Massachusetts governor received an enthusiastic welcome when he appeared later at the sold-out Commonwealth Gala as a kick off of the annual state GOP convention in Richmond. The audience of about 1,300 -- some who were seated at tables out of sight oustide the ballroom -- gave him a standing ovation.

We told you a bit earlier how much the Democrats are spending on TV ads in the hotly-contested three-way gubernatorial primary.

So where does Bob McDonnell fit in?

McDonnell, who will officially accept the Republican nomination tomorrow, is outspending all of the Democrats -- even though the general election hasn't even started yet. And he is about spend a lot more.

In just over two weeks, McDonenell has aired a whopping $1.2 million worth of spots all over the state, including pricey Northern Virginia, according to sources familiar with the purchase. He will spend another $700,000 In spots -- more than half in Northern Virginia -- in the nine-day period starting Monday following the state GOP convention, sources say.

More than 10,000 party activists from around Virginia are traveling to Richmond for a two-day state convention that kicks off this afternoon at the Coliseum.

Mitt Romney, who's considering another run for president in 2012, will be the headliner at the sold-out Commonwealth Gala -- one of the party's biggest fundraisers.

Last year, then-Vice President Dick Cheney spokes to a few hundred attendees. This year, the former Massachusetts governor has attracted a crowd of 1,300. So many people wanted to attend the dinner that they are moving the media into the hall and setting up large-screen TVs.

The mid-term elections aren't until 2010, but that hasn't stopped national Republicans from starting to try to reclaim a pair of U.S. House seats that they lost last November.

The National Republican Congressional Committee began broadcasting radio ads today targeting U.S. Reps. Glenn Nye in Hampton Roads and Tom Perriello in the southern part of the state.

The ad, Accountability Offensive, criticizes Nye and Perriello for supporting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has been under fire recently for her conflicting claims that the Bush administration mislead her on its interrogation techniques.

Consumer activist Ralph Nader accused Terry McAuliffe Thursday of orchestrating an effort to remove him from the presidential ballot in 2004 when McAuliffe was chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Nader said that McAuliffe offered him an unspecified amount of money to campaign in 31 states if Nader would agree to pull his campaign in 19 battleground states.

"When you get a call like that, first of all it's inappropriate,'' Nader said in an interview. "The other thing is if you don't immediately say no, it's like taffy, you get stuck with it."

The latest charge against McAuliffe, who is in a hotly-contested three-way Democratic primary for governor, calls into question -- again -- whether his political career is a liability for him as a candidate.

Terry McAuliffe scores another small victory with black voters.

McAuliffe was endorsed by the Richmond Free Press, a free newspaper in the capital city that caters to the African American community. "He demonstrated his concern for the black community, showing up at events in our community as he did in other communities-and following up to assure that he means what he says,'' the newspaper writes in a lengthy editorial published today.

Last week, McAuliffe gotthe backing of the Richmond Crusade for Voters, a civil rights group.

In what is expected to be a low turnout primary, African American voters will play a crucial role in the June 9 primary. McAuliffe, Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran have launched aggressive campaigns to woo the state's African American voters through radio ads, endorsements and events.

Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran are accusing rival Terry McAuliffe of breaking the pledge (he loves to repeat) to not go negative in a primary against fellow Democrats.

But his latest campaign mailer, just arriving in mailboxes in Northern Virginia, offers a comparison of the three candidates that seems, well, kind of negative.

The mailer compares the three Democrats and one Republican in the race for governor on four issues -- payday lending, campaign finance, lobby reform and renewable energy standard.

Deeds' campaign said McAuliffe's "deceptive" mailer shows he is running scared because recent polls show Deeds is gaining ground while Moran's camp says it shows McAuliffe can't be trusted.

Click the image below to see the ad.

Just what did Terry McAuliffe do to Mark Plotkin?

Plotkin blasted McAuliffe on WTOP radio this morning as part of a scathing commentary in which he urged Virginains to vote for Brian Moran or Creigh Deeds and not -- under any circumstances -- McAuliffe.

He slammed McAuliffe for his lack of ties to Virginia, his interest in fundraising and his "exaggerations." He ended simply with this line:

"The Democratic primary for governor is Tuesday, June 9. Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds are qualified to be governor. Terry McAuliffe is not."

Plotkin has been miffed since McAuliffe canceled his appearance on his radio show a couple weeks ago. He was the only one of the three candidates who did not appear.

McAuiffe's spokeswoman Elisabeth Smith's only reaction today was this: "Terry has the record of creating thousands of jobs and turning around struggling businesses. That's the record that Virginias are looking for in their next governor.''

Check out the full transcript below:

We told you yesterday how much Bob McDonnell was loving each of his Democratic rivals being forced to share their views on card check.

McDonnell wants to turn card check into the issue this year -- and he sure is doing his best. He talks about it everywhere he goes.

Check out today's effort. A video of Democrats Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran explaining -- sort of -- if they support card check.

Who says candidates are the only ones airing TV ads these days?

Americans for Prosperity, an anti-tax group that supports limited government and free trade, started an advertising blitz on TV across Virginia today to cricitize the Democrats' yet-to-be released healthcare plan.

The advertising campaign is part of a national effort to get the word out about potential changes that the group says could result in long waits for surgery and difficulty getting prescription drugs. In Virginia, the group is spending $250,000 over two weeks in every one of the state's media markets, including pricey Northern Virginia.

With the Democratic primary less than two weeks away, Republican Bob McDonnell is starting to prepare for a high-profile battle in the general election.

McDonnell's campaign has hired Crystal Cameron -- mostly recently the morning anchor at WVIR TV station in Charlottesville -- as his press secretary. (Just another journalist leaving the industry.)

Cameron, 31, spent a dozen years as a reporter, producer and anchor in TV news in Florida and Virginia. After settling in, she will be McDonnell's primary spokeswoman.

The campaign also hired Taylor Thornley, 22, who worked on Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign last year, to serve as press assistant for the campaign. 

Gov. Tim Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, predicted an easy Senate confirmation for Sonia Sotomayor, the appeals court judge who President Obama nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court this morning.

"There's going to be a vigorous discussion. That's the way it ought to be,'' Kaine said on his monthly call-in show on WTOP. But "I think the demonstrated track record of success is going to carry the day for this nominee."

Kaine pointed out that Sotomayor was previously nominated by both Republican and Democratic presidents and was twice confirmed by the Senate.

While most of us were at cookouts this Memorial Day weekend, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner jetted off to Baghdad to visit with Virginia soldiers and chat with the Iraqi prime minister, the U.S ambassador and top U.S. military commanders in Iraq.

"I understand how difficult it is to be deployed away from family and loved ones, especially on a holiday such as this one, and I wish each of you a safe and speedy return to the States," Warner told troops.

The congressional delegation -- which includes Sens. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island -- spent Saturday and Sunday in Iraq, where temperatures reached 115 degrees They will make several other stops in the region before returning to the United States Friday.

Jeff Frederick may not be running for GOP chairman this week but that doesn't mean the race isn't going to be the same establishment vs. grassroots battle it was last year when Frederick won and this year when Frederick was ousted.

Tonight, Pat Mullins, the chairman who succeeded Frederick, announced that he had received the support of Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell, the state's five GOP congressmen and House Speaker Bill Howell.

"Pat provides our party with a dedicated conservative leader who comes from the grassroots of our party and understands what it takes to win in a competitive state,'' McDonnell said.

But Jeb Wilkinson, Mullins' campaign manager, said Mullins is supported by many people in addition to elected officials, including grassroots activists who supported Frederick.

Mitt Romney, who's considering another run for president in 2012, will spend the weekend right here in the Old Dominion helping the state's top Republicans get elected.

The former Massachusetts governor will be the headliner at the sold-out Commonwealth Gala in downtown Richmond Friday night as part of the annual state GOP convention.

He will be featured at a trio of fundraisers across the state for Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who was Romney's campaign in Virginia last year before he dropped out of the race. He will also make an appearance at an Arlington business forum on the Employee Free Choice Act, the federal legislation that would make it easier to form a union.

Romney is hoping he won't be forgotten in Virginia -- now a swing state in presidential elections -- come 2012.

A few days ago, we told you how angry state Sen. Henry Marsh was about the Richmond Crusade for Voters endorsement of Terry McAuliffe for governor.

Turns out he is not the only one.

Two other influential African Americans, State Sen. Don McEachin and Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, both longtime members of the storied civil rights group, join Marsh in accusing the Crusade of allowing non-members to vote at last Tuesday's endorsement meeting.

"It is a tainted endorsement,'' McEachin said.

Gov. Tim Kaine played the harmonica and sang a couple songs last night in front of a few hundred people at his last fundraiser for his political action committee.

A casually dressed Kaine was joined by Boyd Tinsley, a violinist with the Dave Matthews Band, on stage in the park outside the historic Maymont house in Richmond.

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D) lambastes Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell this week over the state's refusal to accept $125 million in federal stimulus money for unemployed Virginians.

"I would challenge you to explain to a single Virginia family why their economic security is less important than your party's political ambitions, and that Virginians facing the devastation of unemployment and the concomitant consequences of foreclosure, loss of healthcare, and creditworthiness for the partisan gain of the Republican Party and its gubematorial aspirants," Connolly wrote in a letter to McDonnell.

The Republican-led House of Delegates voted 53 to 46, largely along party lines, last month to reject the funds. McDonnell supported that decision.

A DailyKos/Research 2000 poll on the governor's race today shows that Terry McAuliffe leads opponents Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds among likely voters in the Democratic primary.

The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee had 36 percent compared to 22 percent for Moran and 13 percent for Deeds.

McAuliffe showed a huge gain, while Moran and Deeds remained virtually steady, since the last poll was conducted. In early April, the same poll showed that Moran was ahead of the other two among likely voters.

Last week, Democratic candidates for governor, R. Creigh Deeds and Terry McAuliffe, said they oppose inmates from Guantanamo Bay detention facility being housed in Virginia.

But their rival Brian Moran refused to say. Until today.

Today, Moran told reporters on a conference call that he, too, opposes housing inmates in Virginia and as governor, his first priority would be to keep residents safe.

The decision puts him at odds with his brother, U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, who last weekend raised some eyebrows that he would be open to inmates being housed in Virginia though he would not prefer it.

Republicans are blasting Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe for touting this week that he hired all union workers in Florida because they say that violates the state's right-to-work law.

"I've gone into states like Florida -- right-to-work," McAuliffe said this week in a debate hosted by the Washington Post and News Channel 8 at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus."And hired all union workers."

Florida, Virginia and 20 other states have laws that so not alow union membership to be a condition of employment.

"Terry McAuliffe either doesn't know or doesn't care what the letter and spirit of right-to-work laws are if he brags about discriminating against non-union workers," said party chairman Pat Mullins. "Requiring all workers to be unionized is against the policy of Virginia and it is shocking that he would boast about breaking it."

The GOP and Republican gubernatorial nominee have been hammering Democrats for their union ties and their support of the Employee Free Choice Act that, which would make it easier to form a union. But it's unclear whether criticisms like this one will stick.

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe won the endorsement of the Richmond Crusade for Voters, a civil rights group well known for getting voters to the polls.

But tonight, longtime Crusade member, state Sen. Henry Marsh, accused the group of a series of "irregularities" that he said "reflect poorly on the Crusade and diminish the credibility of this historic organization."

Marsh, who is campaigning for McAuliffe's rival R. Creigh Deeds, accused the Crusade of allowing non-members and members who had not attended the required number of meetings to vote and permitting relatives and candidates' staff to serve on the committe that made endorsement recommendations.

The Democratic Governors Association has given another $750,000 to Common Sense Virginia, a political action committee set up to oppose Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert F. McDonnell, according to state reports.

The DGA has now contributed nearly $3 million to Common Sense Virginia, which formed to spread the word about what it calls McDonnell's "conservative legislative record" and his close ties to religious broadcaster Pat Robertson.

Common Sense Virginia is airing TV ads across the state that criticize McDonnell for opposing the state accepting millions of dollars in federa stimulus money.

Bob McDonnell calls himself a "jobs governor."

So Common Sense Virginia, a political action committee funded by the Democratic Governors Association, wants to know why the Republican gubernatorial nominee has yet to unveil a plan to create jobs.

The group launched the "No Jobs Bob" clock on its Website to track the number of days, hours, minutes and seconds since McDonnell declared himself the "Jobs Governor" without offering a jobs plan.

"Bob McDonnell is ready to deny help to Virginians struggling in challenging times, but McDonnell is not ready to create jobs in our commonwealth," said John Tyler, who recently lost his job and serves on the Common Sense Virginia advisory board. "No Jobs Bob likes to talk the talk, but for more than a year on the campaign trail, McDonnell hasn't walked the walk."

Brian Moran will begin airing his first television ad tonight during a broadcast of today's primary debate between the three Democratic candidates for governor. And no surprise Moran went negative.

Moran's ad hits hard at rival Terry McAuliffe's claims that he would bring a successful businessman background to the governor's mansion. Moran signaled that this would be a central theme for the closing days of the campaign: McAuliffe is not what he says he is. The ad will air in Hampton Roads and Richmond.

Michael Steele, the controversial chairman of the Republican National Committee, will hold his first rally with Virginia GOP gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell Saturday.

Steele, the party's first black chairman drew strong criticism in the weeks following his January election for a series of political gaffes, but that has subsided in recent weeks.

"We are honored to have Chairman Steele joining us on the campaign trail in Bristol on Saturday,'' said Tucker Martin, McDonnell's spokesman. "Together, Bob and the Chairman are going to let voters in Southwest Virginia know about Bob's commitment to growing our economy and creating good jobs all across the Commonwealth."

McDonnell and Steele will campaign together in the Republican friendly city of Bristol in southwest Virginia on the Tennessee border, where both men are expected to be greeted warmly.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, who has been hammered in recent days about his efforts to defeat Barack Obama in last year's presidential race, found a way to fight back today in a big way.

McAuliffe annnounced an endorsement from former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, one of Obama's earliest supporters and one of his national campaign co-chairmen.

"I was impressed by the time and energy Terry put into traveling across Virginia and the country on Barack Obama's behalf during the general election,'' Daschle said in a statement. "From the day Hillary Clinton ended her historic bid for president, Terry worked tirelessly to unify our party around Barack Obama and get him elected President. His energy and enthusiasm were tremendous assets on the campaign trail and we were grateful to have him on our side.

State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds used the unveiling of his energy plan this afternoon as an opportunity to take a subtle jab or two at his Democratic rivals for governor, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran.

Deeds didn't actually mention either of them by name, but criticized those who are fixated on using chicken waste to produce energy (McAuliffe) and those who oppose coal plants (Moran).

"No Democrat is better prepared to lead on energy than I am,'' Deeds said.

Deeds plan includes offering grants to companies that weatherize the homes of low-income families, establish biofuel plants in economically stressed areas and offering tax exemptions for solar and wind projects.

Looking for a chance to see Gov. Tim Kaine play the harmonica?

Kaine will hold a jam session with Boyd Tinsley, a violinist with the Dave Matthews Band, as part of his political action committee's big annual fundraiser Thursday night.

The event at Maymont -- a popular Richmond venue that includes a historical house and a 100-acre park -- will be the last fundraiser for Moving Virginia Forward before the Democratic primary June 9. Tickets are $100.

For those of you wondering (like us) when Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Brian Moran would start airing TV ads, you finally have your answer.

His campaign has bought air time starting this week in Norfolk and Richmond, according to several sources familiar with the purchase. But the buy is substantially smaller than what his rivals have bought in those markets.

Moran has been spending money quickly and had the least money in the bank as of the reporting period. It shows. He is the last to go on the air.

Terry McAuliffe has been on and off TV since January. R. Creigh Deeds has been up for two weeks. Even Republican Robert F. McDonnell, who faces no opposition for his party's nomination, went on air last week across the state and in pricey Northern Virginia.

Jon Bowerbank, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, announced today that he is suspending his campaign less than four weeks before the June 9 primary.

Bowerbank, a member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors, said he wanted to spend more time with his family and his employees at his company in southwest Virginia.

"I believe Virginia and the Democratic Party need someone who can devote their full attention and energy to the job of being the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor," he said in a statement.

Bowerbank endorsed former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner. She will compete against Michael Signer, an attorney who worked for former governor Mark R. Warner.

Bob McDonnell still remains close with many of his old political friends.

Tonight, the Republican gubernatorial nominee attended a fundraiser at the Fairfax County home of Kevin Gentry, one of the founders of a now defunct group that found itself playing a cameo in the coverage of the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal.

According to a 2005 report, in The Washington Post, the group funded a range of secret political efforts, including one by Abramoff. The Faith and Family Alliance was used as a pass-through to fund a campaign against an Internet gambling ban and to attack U.S. Rep. Eric I. Cantor in his 2000 primary race, according to the Washington Post report.

No one involved in the group was ever accused of any wrongdoing in connection with its activities. While McDonnell, then a state delegate from Virginia Beach, provided legal advice and his law firm did work for the group, the Republican candidate said at the time that his law firm was hired to file "routine" incorporation papers for the group with the state but that he was not connected to any of the group's activities.

U.S. Rep. Jim Moran raised some eyebrows earlier this week when he wrote that he would be open to inmates from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility being housed in Virginia (though he would not prefer it).

So we thought we'd ask his little brother, gubernatial candidate Brian Moran, what he thought? But we didn't really get much of an answer.

"I have tremendous confidence in the leadership of President Obama,'' Moran said in a statement. "I look forward to his recommended plans and will evaluate them once they are released. It's important that we put a premium on protecting the community of Alexandria and preserving our local resources while ensuring everyone's legal rights."

On Tuesday night, State Board of Elections officials announced they were fining the Democratic Governors Association $2,500 for failing to comply with state campaign finance laws involving the group's donations in the governor's race.

On Wednesday, they changed their mind.

So what happened?

Well, besides some obvious confusion within the State Board of Elections, the DGA gave the state the updated records it needed to comply with the law.

That doesn't mean some Republicans aren't going to speculate that the state agency run by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, decided to play politics.

Will Pat Mullins, the new chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, turn out to be another Jeff Frederick?

Democrats are hopeful after hearing about comments Mullins made in a speech to more than 100 Republicans in Virginia Beach Monday night.

Mullins said he is glad he is not a Democrat so he doesn't have "to defend a President who goes overseas and bows to dictators that would like to destroy this country."

Mullins was also quick to criticize Virginia's three top Democrats -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, Sen. Mark R. Warner and Sen. James Webb, who he called an "embarrassment."

In a recording obtained by the Washington Post, Mullins told members of the audience all the reasons that he was "excited I'm not a Democrat."

Here are some excerpts...

L. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first elected black governor who is being wooed by all four candidates in the governor's race, sure likes to keep everyone guessing.

Four weeks before the June 9 primary, Wilder still won't say whether he will endorse anyone. He said he may follow the lead of the state's top three Democrats -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and U.S. Sens. James Webb and Mark R. Warner -- and sit out the primary.

"If (Kaine) won't, Webb hasn't, Warner hasn't, why should I? Why?'' Wilder asked In a recent interview at his office at Virginia Commonwealth University. "Why should I endorse anyone?"

State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, a Democratic candidate for governor, has laid off about five campaign staffers in order to keep airing TV ads four weeks before the June 9 primary.

Deeds now has 25 staffers across the state and six offices in Charlottesville, Richmond, Hampton Roads, Roanoke, Southside and Northern Virginia. Campaign officials refused to disclose how many staffers were fired but a month ago Deeds had 29 employees.

"With so much of the electorate still undecided, we've had to reassess our strategy and shift some of our resources so we can communicate Creigh's message to as many Virginians as possible,'' said Joe Abbey, Deeds campaign manager.

The layoffs are bad news for a campaign that has raised the least amount of money.

The State Board of Elections will fine the Democratic Governors Association $2,500 tomorrow for failing to comply with state campaign finance laws involving the group's donations in the governor's race.

The DGA has contributed $2.15 million to Common Sense Virginia, a political action committee that is running TV ads attacking Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell across the state.

Virginia law requires out-of-state groups to report all donations it has received to the Board of Elections when it receives them if they are contributing more than $2,500 to PAC. DGA has not reported donations since April 15.

National groups are reporting that they are spending an astonishing $1.6 million this week in the Virginia's governors race.

The Republican Governors Association reports giving another $750,000 to GOP nominee Bob McDonnell.

The Democratic Governors Association reports giving another $850,000 to Common Sense Virginia, a political action committee set up to oppose McDonnell.

Both McDonnell and Common Sense Virginia are airing TV ads across the state.

Looks like someone is playing a trick on Tim Kaine, Virginia's governor and chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Click on www.timkaine.com and you'll see what we mean. Instead of being sent to a site devoted to Kaine or Democrats, you get sent to the homepage of Steve Lonegan, a Republican candidate for governor in New Jersey.

Virginia and New Jersey are the only two states with governor's races this year. As DNC chairman, Kaine is tasked with trying to keep both governor's mansions Democratic.

How long until Kaine gets this fixed?

Del. Phillip Hamilton, a Newport News Republican who is chairman of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee, told Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today that he was "appalled" hackers were able to access millions of personal pharmaceutical records they say they stole from the state's prescription drug database.

The FBI and State Police are searching for hackers who demanded that the state pay them a $10 million ransom by yesterday for the return of 8 million patient records and 35 million prescriptions collected by the Prescription Monitoring Program.

"I am appalled that, given concerns over identity theft and computer hackers, a breach of security for the prescription drug monitoring program was even a remote possibility,'' Hamilton wrote in a letter to Kaine today. "I would have thought that sufficient security firewalls would have been in place to protect the identity of those legally receiving prescription drugs."

Hamilton wrote that he hopes the hackers are arrested and "that the job performance of the individual or individuals responsible for protecting the sanctity of these records would be dealt with appropriately."

It seems like Bob McDonnell is being attacked almost daily these days. Now, the Republican nominee for governor has decided to fight back.

McDonnell will begin airing TV ads Monday. His campaign has bought air time for one week in Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville and Tri-Cities, according to several sources familiar with the purchase.

McDonnell declined to comment today.

This is getting serious.

It's only May and national Democrats have already sunk more than $1 million into attacking Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell.

Today, the Democratic Governors Association reported to the state that it donated another $505,000 to Common Sense Virginia, a group formed to spread the word about what it calls McDonnell's "conservative legislative record" and his close ties to religious broadcaster Pat Robertson.

The DGA had previously given the group $854,000.

Who is the Republican public official most frequently mentioned by the Democratic gubernatorial candidates besides, of course, Bob McDonnell?

Former governor Jim Gilmore.

They blame the one-time presidential candidate and former U.S. Senate hopeful every chance they get for Virginia's economic and financial woes --- and stress that electing McDonnell will bring about similar problems.

Gilmore, who has been defending his record in letters to the editor and columns, praised McDonnell this week.

The infighting among Republicans is not over yet.

Bill Stanley, leader of the Franklin County Republican Committee, announced today that he will run for state GOP chairman against Pat Mullins on May 30 at the state convention.

"Our party must be driven and guided from the grassroots up and not the top down,'' he said in a statement. "While we must give all those who work on our party's behalf their due, the Republican Party must not permit the judgment of the few to instruct or override the will of the many. The position of chairman must be elected, not anointed."

Stanley sounds a little like ousted chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick, doesn't he?

Every time the Democratic Governors Association (and its Virginia-based arm Common Sense Virginia) attacks Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell, his staff is quick to point out that that the groups are funded by big unions.

Phil Cox, McDonnell's campaign manager, even sent out a fundraising letter today with a subject line "National Unions Attack Bob McDonnell" to combat Common Sense Virginia's new advertsing campaign.

Not so fast.

It turns out the Republican Governors Association has received plenty of money from them too.

The most expensive ad campaign of the Virginia governor's race so far is not from the three Democrats running in the June primary. It's from Common Sense Virginia, a new group that formed with money from the Democratic Governors Association to oppose Republican Robert F. McDonnell.

The group is spending more than half a million dollars on broadcast and cable TV in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Norfolk and Roanoke starting today. They are the first ads in the governor's race to be aired in Northern Virginia.

The ad, "Empty," highlights McDonnell's opposition to Virginia's acceptance of $125 million in federal stimulus money for additional unemployment benefits to thousands of Virginians.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell is breathing a sigh of relief this afternoon.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, ousted chairman of the Republican Party, just announced that he will not run for party leader at the state convention later this month.

McDonnell supported Frederick's removal last month and, according to Republican leaders, had told Frederick that he would support his re-election campaign for House of Delegates if he agreed not to run for chairman.

Frederick of Prince William County said today he would not run for re-election to the House. His wife Amy planned to run, but last week she withdrew from the race.

Is Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell looking for an endorsement from former Democratic governor L. Douglas Wilder?

McDonnell and Wilder, who have had a good working relationship for years, are having lunch today, according to sources close to McDonnell.

All three Democratic candidates -- R. Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran -- have already met with Wilder, the nation's first elected black governor, to seek an endorsement and advice on how to run a successful statewide campaign.

Gubernatorial candidate R. Creigh Deeds has been saving his pennies, while his Democratic rivals Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran have been spending at a fast pace. Now we know why.

Deeds began airing two TV ads today in four markets -- Hampton Roads, Richmond, Roanoke and Bristol -- in Virginia. McAuliffe has aired ads on and off for months, but Moran has not aired any.

See below to watch Deeds' two new ads:

The Republican State Central Committee selected Pat Mullins, Louisa County's Republican chairman and the former longtime leader in Fairfax, as the party's new chairman at a meeting in Richmond this morning.

For months, the leadership conflict has split the party and overshadowed Republican efforts to win the governor's mansion in a campaign that is viewed by many to be a harbinger for federal midterm elections in 2010.

Party rules require Mullins to run again later this month when 8,000 to 10,000 activists gather in Richmond for the party's state convention May 30.

Ousted chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick has said he will probably run for chairman again at the convention, but has made no formal announcement.

With just five weeks left before the June 9 primary, national Democratic groups continue to pour more money into Virginia to directly challenge Republican nominee Robert F. McDonnell.

The Democratic Governors Association donated another $740,000 to a new group, Common Sense Virginia, to spread the word about what officials there call McDonnell's "conservative legislative record" and his close ties to religious broadcaster Pat Robertson.

Officials at Common Sense Virginia said the group will provide counter-programming about McDonnell through TV and Internet ads, canvassing and phone calls.

For the second time in the last year, former presidential candidate Fred Thompson has helped Republican Robert F. McDonnell raise a heap of cash for his campaign for governor.

Thompson brought in $170,000 for McDonnell at a fundraiser Saturday in Charlottesville, according to McDonnell's campaign.

The former Tennessee senator headlined an event at the Farmington County Club attended by 75 people.

Campaign Finance Database:: Learn more about Bob McDonnell's donors.

It looks like the House of Delegates will no longer have a Frederick among its members.

Amy Frederick announced this morning that she is withdrawing from the race to replace her husband -- delegate and ousted party chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick -- in his Prince William County district.

In an email that blasts House Speaker William J. Howell and the Republican leadership, Frederick said she is "not interested in running for office to serve under broken leadership, where the speaker compromises principle for what he perceives as immediate political gain."

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner has tapped Eva Teig Hardy, a longtime executive at Dominion Virginia Power, one of the most influential companies in the state, to be his interim state director.

Warner (D) has been searching for a state director for months, but has not yet found the right permanent person for what he considers a key job on his staff. Instead, he asked Hardy, whose long years of experience make her an ideal, if perhaps overqualifed, candidate, to take on the job while he continues to search for a permanent director.

Hardy currently works part-time as a consultant to Dominion and a senior policy advisor at McGuireWoods law firm, but said she will resign from both companies before she starts the job for Warner.

Hardy will be paid about $70,000 a year. She will start in June.

Trying to determine which House of Delegates races are shaping up to be the most competitive this fall? Start by checking out the candidates' most recent fundraising numbers.

Here are the five candidates who have raised more than $100,000 in the three-month period that ended March 31.

The list, compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project, gives us a hint of which races to watch in November.

In the three weeks since Jeffrey M. Frederick was ousted as state GOP chairman, two of the 12 staff members at the Republican Party of Virginia have resigned.

Matthew Kandrach, who headed the party's field operations in Northern Virginia, and Gerry Scimeca, the party's communications direction, have left.

Others are waiting to see who will be selected as the new chairman this weekend.

The State Central Committee is expected to pick a leader Saturday morning. But party rules require the election of a chairman four weeks later at the Republican state convention May 30.

Everyone knew national Republicans would invest heavily in former attorney general's Robert F. McDonnell's campaign for governor.

But now, they have even started getting involved in the attorney general's race.

Is it because every win is crucial to down-and-out Republicans hoping to turn their party around? Or is because the attorney general's office is always considered a stepping stone to a run for governor?

Whatever the reason, prepare for a slew of surrogates to swarm Virginia this spring.

He's coming.

After considerable speculation about what role former president Bill Clinton would play in campaigning for his best friend, Terry McAuliffe, the answer should become considerably more clear Monday.

Clinton will campaign with the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Richmond and Roanoke.

For years, Clinton has made a powerful case for Democratic candidates around the country. But this time it's personal. The two were thick as thieves during Clinton's two presidential bids, and McAuliffe was chairman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign last year.

Democrats called on Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell today to clarify comments he made last week about being "sort of unemployed."

"We're raising five kids in Virginia, we're feeling a little bit of it as well," McDonnell said in video taped at last week's Shad Planking. "I'm actually now a retired state employee, sort of unemployed myself."

C. Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, told reporters today that McDonnell's comments were "disingenous" and puts him out of touch with the 300,000 unemployed residents in Virginia.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell launched a pair of online ads yesterday that will run for one week on the Drudge Report.

The ads tout McDonnell's support for federal legislation that would prevent inmates at Guantanamo Bay from being transferred to Virginia.

"We see a great response,'' said Tucker Martin, a McDonnell spokesman. "It shows the issue is important to voters."

President Obama has vowed to close Guantanamo by January, and the government is reviewing files on the detainees, who number about 240. The administration has strongly indicated that some will be transferred to federal courts, and a senior Justice Department official recently named Alexandria and Manhattan as possible destinations.

U.S. Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) introduced a bill to prevent federal money from being used to move the inmates to Virginia.

GOPAC, a national organization dedicated to electing Republicans to state and local office, launched its first ever multi-media campaign to support Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell.

The campaign will air cable TV ads and run ads online using Google search engine advertising, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other media.

"There is no candidate in the country more important to GOPAC than Bob McDonnell as he campaigns to serve as Virginia's next governor," Chairman Frank Donatelli said. "He personifies GOPAC's belief that good candidates with good ideas run winning campaigns. GOPAC is fully supportive of Bob McDonnell's candidacy."

The first ad, running on cable TV in Northern Virginia and Richmond, began today, but will be brief. Donatelli declined to release the total amount of money to be spent on the campaign.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert F. McDonnell has stayed mostly silent on conservative social issues -- guns, the sanctity of marriage, school choice -- chosing instead to follow the lead of other statewide officials and tout himself as a moderate.

But Democrats are already starting to call attention to McDonnell's recent statement that the University of Notre Dame should not honor President Obama at its May graduation because of his views on abortion.

McDonnell, who attended Notre Dame, told WTOP radio that Obama should be allowed to speak, but should not be given an honorary degree because his views "appear to be in great conflict with the Catholic social teaching."

McDonnell did disagree with some Catholics who do not think Obama should be allowed to speak. "He's the president of the United States," McDonnell said. "We respect the office. I disagree with him on a number of issues, but I respect the fact that he is the leader of the free world."

By Michael D. Shear
and Anita Kumar

President Obama has named Virginia's Secretary of Technology, Aneesh
P. Chopra, to be the nation's first Chief Technology Officer.

The president announced the choice in his weekly radio and Internet
address today, adding Chopra to a small group of advisers whose aim it
to enhance and modernize the delivery of government services.

"Aneesh will promote technological innovation to help achieve our most
urgent priorities - from creating jobs and reducing health care costs
to keeping our nation secure," Obama said in the radio address.

Aneesh P. Chopra, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's secretary of technology, will be named President Obama's information technology chief. Obama will make the announcement in his weekly radio address tomorrow, according to sources close to Kaine.

Chopra had been under consideration for months for a job in the Obama administration, including technology chief at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Chopra had put in long hours in Washington helping Obama's transition team get him ready for his first day as president job Jan. 20. He was one of about 50 volunteers from across the nation serving on the transition's technology, innovation and government reform policy working group.

Chopra did not return messages for comment today.

Chopra, former managing director with the Advisory Board Company, a publicly-traded health care think tank serving nearly 2,500 hospitals and health systems, has considered running for office himself.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell said today that he supports legislation that would prevent inmates currently housed at Guantanamo Bay from being transferred to a facility in Virginia.

President Obama has vowed to close Guantanamo by January, and the government is reviewing files on the roughly 240 detainees. The administration has strongly indicated that some will be transferred to federal courts, and a senior Justice Department official recently named Alexandria, along with Manhattan, as possible destinations.

"The terrorists and enemy combatants currently housed 90 miles from our shores at Guantanamo Bay are some of the most dangerous men in the world,'' McDonnell said. "Now the federal government is considering placing some of these individuals in the middle of a busy Virginia city, just feet away from hotels, apartments, restaurants and shops."

U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) introduced a bill that would prevent federal money from being used to move Guantanamo Bay inmates to Virginia.

Virginia Democrats hope that the largely party-line vote by Republicans last week to reject $125 million in federal unemployment funds will help carry them to victory in the fall.

First, they held a press conference and launched an online petition to pitch their party as the one that can be trusted to help lead workers and businesses out of the recession.

Now, Democrats are holding neighborhood canvasses in the districts of nine Republican delegates who voted to reject the federal stimulus money. That includes three in Northern Virginia in Springfield, Sterling and Dumfries.

Volunteers will knock on doors to inform voters of their delegates' decision not to accept the money.

Seven people who have given Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe at least $5,000 have slept in the Lincoln Bedroom during the Clinton administration, according to campaign reports released last night.

They are:

Mark Weiner, former Rhode Island Democratic state chairman and superdelegate ($40,000).

Carl Lindner, chairman of the board and founder of American Financial Group and former owner of the Cincinnati Reds ($15,000).

Alan M. Leventhal, chairman and chief executive officer of Beacon Capital Partners, an international real estate investment company ($15,000).

John Catsimatidis, owner of Gristedes Foods and the Red Apple Group and its subsidiary United Refining Company, which has holdings in aviation and real estate ($5,000).

Alan Patricof, co-founder of Apax Partners, Inc., one of the world's leading private equity firms and a finance chairman for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign ($5,000).

Stanley Shuman, managing director at investment banking firm Allen & Company ($5,000).

Steven Green, vice president and chief accounting officer at Pitney Bowes, an intelligence and marketing company ($5,000).

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran returned $8,500 in contributions from Citigroup and Virginia Commerce Bank -- companies that received taxpayer-funded bailout money, according to campaign filings made public last night.

Moran returned the money on the same day that rival Terry McAuliffe first pledged not to take corporate contributions from companies receiving bailout money.

The campaign finance reports also show that McAuliffe spent $31,600 on supporter lists and office furniture from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and $10,700 on office equipment from U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner's campaign.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran picked up a couple new endorsements, including one with ties to labor.

Barbara Easterling, the first woman ever to serve as secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, endorsed Moran, citing recent polling that shows he is the strongest general election candidate against Republican nominee Robert F. McDonnell.

"We know Brian will be with us as governor because he always has,'' Easterling said. "In these tough times, working families are facing real tough choices and Brian Moran understands what we're going through. I know he won't stop fighting until he gets us result and that's what we need as governor."

Moran's rival Terry McAuliffe has spent decades in Washington working with national Democratic leaders forging close ties to unions, and has receive many of the biggest labor endorsements.

Timothy M. Kaine, Virginia's governor and new chairman of the Democratic National Commmittee, will be the keynote speaker at the Florida Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson dinner May 30 in Miami Beach.

In recent interviews, Kaine has said he spends about one day a week out of town on DNC business. He will work full time as chairman after his term ends in January 2010.

Del. Stephen C. Shannon of Fairfax County officially became the Democratic nominee for attorney general yesterday when the state party certified him as the only Democrat filed to run.

"As a former prosecutor and a delegate, Steve has a long record of protecting Virginia families and fighting crime,'' said C. Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia.. He'll make an excellent attorney general.

Shannon will face one of the three Republicans competing at next month's convention: John Brownlee, a former federal prosecutor; Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax); and David M. Foster, the former chairman of the Arlington County School Board.

All four men were at the 61st annual Shad Planking yesterday afternoon. Before the event, Brownlee received the endorsement of Jerry Kilgore, former attorney general and Republican gubernatorial nominee in 2005 who will serve as general chairman of Brownlee's campaign.

Common Sense Virginia, a group funded by the Democratic Governors Association, launched an online advertising campaign today designed to inform women about Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell's record on education, health care and abortion rights.

"The more Virginia women learn about the real Bob McDonnell, the more they'll realize he's not for us," said Sarah Buckley, a University of Virginia student who is a Common Sense Virginia advisory board member.

For at least the next two weeks, the ads will appear on Websites frequently read by women in the state, including Martha Stewart Living, Every Day with Rachel Ray and Women's Entertainment Television.

About 400 of the 13,354 signatures provided to the Virginia State Board of Elections by lieutenant governor candidate Michael Signer are missing required information, according to state and Democratic party officials.

If the 4,000 signatures are thrown out, his name would not appear on the ballot.

The state requires candidates to submit at least 10,000 signatures, including those of least 400 registered voters in each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts, to be on the June 9 Democratic primary ballot.

The state board of elections determined that the notary used by Signer made an error when he did not ensure the addresses of those collecting the signatures were included on the paperwork.

A series of tea parties will be held today -- tax day -- across Virginia to protest high taxes and big government spending, including recent federal bailout packages.

Americans for Prosperity, a group that supports limited government and free trade, called 40,000 Virginians last tonight in an effort to boost turnout at the tea parties. Another 30,000 will be called this morning.

"These tea parties are a testament to the growing anger toward politicians who are wasting our money,'' said Ben Marchi, the group's state director.

Almost 5,000 Virginians, including all three Democrats running for governor, signed a petition calling for GOP gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell and House Republicans to support an effort to collect $125 million in federal stimulus money for jobless Virginians.

The Democratic Party of Virginia launched the petition Monday. Twenty-four hours later, 4,817 Virginians had signed the petition calling for the General Assembly to return to Richmond and vote to accept the money.

"Bob McDonnell's opposition to urgent assistance for displaced workers is heartless,'' state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds said. "Bob McDonnell and Virginia Republicans are turning their backs on the Virginians who are hurting the most. It's time to put politics aside and get this done."

Former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner (D) raised $375,000 for her campaign for lieutenant governor in the three-month period that ended last month, campaign officials announced today.

Wagner, who has more than $410,000 in the bank, boasted that she had raised more than Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), who collected more than $300,000 in the same period, though he was barred by law for raising money during the 45-day legislative session.

"I'm grateful to have the support of so many grassroots volunteers, elected officials, and party leaders, and I know we all look forward to a common goal of defeating Bill Bolling in November," Wagner said.

More than a dozen Richmond community activists and leaders announced their support today for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.

"We believe that Terry understands urban communities and the issues they face,'' they said in a joint statement. "Terry shares our concerns and will work with our communities to improve inner city schools, youth programs, neighborhood development, infrastructure improvements, voting rights issues and vital redistricting reform...Virginia needs Terry McAuliffe; he's the right man at the right time."

Endorsers include: Richmond City Council Marty Jewell; community activists Art Burton, Sharon Burton, Amelia Lightner, John Lloyd, Terry Binford, Hope Murphy Elliott, Reginald Malone, Carrie Cox, Rita Ricks, Regina L. Hatcher and and former school board members William Laffoon, Zarina Fazaldin.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran announced this morning an "Innovation Agenda" to boost research and development and expand biotechnology, green energy technology and universal broadband.

"Virginia can be a national leader in research and innovation, growing our economy and creating thousands of new high-tech jobs," Moran said. "With a focus on the technology sector, we can attract investment and create jobs and position Virginia as a leader in the innovation economy. Virginia has the potential to become a national and international leader in innovation, but we have to get to work."

Moran's proposal includes incentivizing research and development, establishing a strategic plan for research and development to coordinate the efforts of Virginia's colleges and universities, investing in biotech facilities, creating energy technology parks and building modeling and simulation clusters.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) raised more than $300,000 from 404 contributors in the three-month period that ended last month, campaign officials announced today.

Bolling, who was barred from raising money during the 45-day legislative session, has $735,000 in the bank. Since he kicked off his re-election campaign in March 2008, he has raised $1.3 million.

"I am honored that hundreds of hard working Virginians have invested more than $300,000 in my reelection campaign in just a few short weeks," Bolling said. "I know that times are tough and people are worried about their budgets and jobs. That makes me appreciate even more the generous support that I have received from so many people."

Bolling will face lawyer Patrick Muldoon for the Republican nomination next month.

Three Democrats are running: Jon Bowerbank, a businessman from Russell County, Michael Signer, an attorney who worked for former governor Mark R. Warner and former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner. Pat Edmonson, a member of the Virginia Beach School Board, withdrew from the race last week.

Former attorney general Robert F. McDonnell (R) raised $2.2 million in his campaign for Virginia governor in the three-month period that ended last month, campaign officials said today.

McDonnell, who was barred by state law from raising money during most of the legislative session, has $3.5 million cash on hand.

"We have far more cash on hand than any of our potential opponents,'' McDonnell campaign manager Phil Cox said. "This is a crucial advantage as we take Bob McDonnell's positive message of new jobs and more opportunities to every voter in Virginia."

McDonnell, who raised $1.6 million during the second half of last year, received help from national leaders including Arizona Sen. John McCain, former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

The Democratic Party of Virginia launched this morning a Website calling on Republicans to accept $125 million in federal stimulus money for additional unemployment benefits for jobless Virginians.

The General Assembly narrowly rejected the money last week despite pressure from a visibly angry Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

The Republican-controlled House of Delegates, a fiscally conservative body that has long opposed fundamental changes to laws that extend such benefits, killed the proposal after members argued it would translate into higher taxes for businesses once the supply of stimulus money was exhausted.

The Website specifically targets House Republicans and GOP gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell, who is not in the legislature and did not vote on the bill but has said he opposed accepting the money.

Two of three Democratic candidates for governor, Terry McAuliffe and R. Creigh Deeds, released proposals this morning to improve Virginia's education system.

McAuliffe told reporters on a conference call that he wants to commercialize more research at the state's universities to allow them to lower tuition costs. His proposal also includes providing a less expensive alternative for the first two years of community college, expanding pre-kindergarten programs, allowing high school juniors to bypass their senior year and go straight to college and increase incentives to attract teachers such as raising salaries to the national average.

"To attract the employers and jobs we want in the future, we need to ensure that Virginia has the best-educated, best-trained, most skilled workforce in the world," McAuliffe said. "Over the past eight years, we've seen steady progress and better results in education. The challenge for the next governor will be to make better use of what we have. That means we have to build more flexibility, more innovation and more creativity into the system."

Deeds announced at a press conference outside the state Capitol a plan that would create an additional 70,000 degrees over the next 10 years for two- and four-year degrees. He proposes creating a rainy day fund to help curb tuition increases during tough economic times, a loan forgiveness for teachers in high-need areas and a state grant for job training. His plan would cost about $78 million in the first year.

A DailyKos/Research 2000 poll on the governor's race shows that former delegate Brian Moran leads former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe among likely voters in the Democratic primary, 24 percent to 19 percent. State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds had 16 percent.

The poll found that Moran was nearly tied with Republican Robert F. McDonnell in a general election. McAuliffe and Deeds each trailed McDonnell by 7 percent.

"Not only are we leading in the primary, but, more importantly, this poll confirms that Brian is the strongest Democrat to take on Bob McDonnell in November,'' Moran campaign manager Andrew Roos said. "Virginia Democrats know that we need a fighter and we need a winner come November, and this poll is further evidence that we are running a campaign that will accomplish exactly that."

A handful of legislators traditionally walk to the governor's third-floor Capitol office when the House and Senate are ready to adjourn a session. In the last year or two, Kaine and legislators have ignored the largely symbolic practice.

But last night when legislators were ready to adjourn their one-day session they decided to stick with tradition, partly out of respect for Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and what is likely to be his last session during his four-year term.

Afterwards, some Republicans wished they skipped the event.

A visibly angry and red faced Kaine berated legislators for narrowly rejecting $125 million in federal stimulus money that would have provided additional unemployment benefits to thousands of jobless Virginians.

Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe raised an impressive $4.2 million in his campaign for Virginia governor in the three-month period that ended last month, campaign officials said today.

Rival Brian Moran raised $800,000 in the same period -- more than he raised in the previous six months, but still far less than McAuliffe.

"We expect to be outspent, but we also expect to win,'' Moran Campaign Chairwoman Mame Reiley said. "Virginia Democrats have long confirmed that money in and of itself does not sway them to a candidate. Instead, they want someone who is a proven fighter for their families and a leader who can win in November."

McAuliffe has spent nearly half of the total amount that he has raised and has about $2.5 million cash on hand.

Democrat R. Creigh Deeds did not release his campaign finance reports today.

Del. Stephen C. Shannon, the sole Democrat in the race for attorney general, filed the necessary petitions today to get his name on the ballot.

Shannon of Fairfax, who was forbidden by law from raising money during the 45-day legislative session this year, received more than $270,000 in the first three months of 2009. He has $900,000 cash on hand.

Shannon submitted 14,267 signatures. The state requires candidates to submit at least 10,000 signatures, including those of least 400 registered voters in each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts.

Three Republicans seek the nomination for attorney general: Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax); John Brownlee, a former federal prosecutor; and David M. Foster, the former chairman of the Arlington County School Board.

Former finance secretary Jody Wagner picked up the endorsement of the highest ranking Democrat in the House of Delegates, Ward L. Armstrong, in her bid for lieutenant governor.

Armstrong, the House minority leader, cited Wagner's experience as a member of Timothy M. Kaine and Mark R. Warner's administrations.

"Having seen firsthand the work she did in the Warner and Kaine administrations to help fix the state's fiscal problems...I know she has the right experience to balance our budget and maintain Virginia as the best managed state and best state for business,'' Armstrong said. "As an elected official, and more importantly as a Virginian, I trust Jody Wagner to keep Virginia moving forward."

Three other Democrats are running: Jon Bowerbank, a businessman from Russell County, Pat Edmonson, a member of the Virginia Beach School Board and Michael Signer, an attorney who worked for former governor Mark R. Warner.

As the General Assembly returns to Richmond today, Democrats are calling on GOP gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell to urge Republican legislators to change Virginia's unemployment system so the state can take advantage of $125 million in federal stimulus money.

That's going to be a tough sell.

Through his spokesman, McDonnell said he opposes changes that could mean higher taxes for businesses once the stimulus money is exhausted.

"Bob McDonnell is highly supportive of the stimulus money being used to compensate displaced full time workers in Virginia,'' said Tucker Martin, McDonnell's spokesman. "However, creating an unfunded federal mandate to permanently expand benefits with one time funding poses an undue hardship on the taxpayers and employers. Thus the long term effect would not be good for economic development."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran received the support from several more local elected leaders, and is now far outpassing his rivals R. Creigh Deeds and Terry McAuliffe in endorsements.

Moran is hoping his endorsers convince others to support him and get others out to the polls on June 9. It's unclear if the strategy will work on a day when turnout has historically been extremely low in Virginia.

Moran received the endorsement of nearly every elected Democrat in the City of Falls Church.

"Brian is grounded in our commonwealth and connected to our people,'' Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner said. "He knows how to fight and win for Virginia families, and that's why I'm standing behind him to be governor."

Also endorsing: Councilman Lawrence Webb, Councilman Dan Sze, Commissioner of the Revenue Tom Clinton, Sheriff Steve Bittle, Treasurer Cathy Kaye and former Democratic Committee Chair Edna Frady.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) appointed retiring delegate Kenneth R. Melvin (D-Portsmouth) to fill a vacancy on the Portsmouth Circuit Court.

"With this appointment, Ken will have another opportunity to build upon his record of dedicated service to the Commonwealth," Kaine said. "I have known and admired Ken for the keen analytical abilities and reasoned judgment he brought to legislative debates. I look forward to his continued service."

Melvin, one of the longest-serving members of the House Courts of Justice Committee, is credited with defending civil rights and supporting the disadvantaged. He was elected in 1985 to represent parts of Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Norfolk.

Greg Scanlon, research director for the Democratic Party of Virginia, won Republican guberanatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell's "bracket madness" last night when the University of North Carolina won the college championship.

Scanlon came out ahead of 786 other participants, largely because of his selection of Michigan State to advance to the national title game last night.

"This guy knows his basketball,'' McDonnell said. "Democratic Party Chairman Dick Cranwell might want to check how much time he spends researching politics versus how much he spends on ESPN.com....Greg's win proves our campaign brings Republicans and Democrats together."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran received the majority of votes at the Lee District Democratic Committee straw poll in Fairfax County this weekend.

Moran won 47 out of the 50 votes. He also won the Mount Vernon Democratic straw poll in Fairfax in February.

"This straw poll continues to show the grassroots momentum building behind Brian," Campaign Chairwoman Mame Reiley said. "He is building this campaign from the bottom up, and this is another demonstration of where local leaders in the Democratic Party stand and that they are working hard to make their support count."

Barbara Comstock, who is running for a House of Delegates seat in Fairfax County in November, has raised $120,000 since mid-January -- a substantial amount of money for a non-incumbent.

Comstock, running against Democratic Del. Margaret G. Vanderhye, received donations from more than 300 people.

"We are particularly pleased with the support that Barbara's campaign has received financially from her many friends, neighbors, colleagues and supporters,'' said John Hishta, a campaign spokesman. "We have gone beyond our best hopes for this early show of support. We understand that in order to be successful this fall we will need to have the necessary financial resources in order to get our message out."

Comstock worked on Capitol Hill for Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) and the Government Reform Committee, ran opposition research for the Republican National Committee and helped Scooter Libby's legal team in his criminal case. Last year, she worked on Mitt Romney's presidential campaign and is now a lobbyist in the District.

Michael Signer, an attorney who worked for former governor Mark R. Warner, officially launched his campaign for lieutenant governor today in Arlington.

Signer began a statewide tour of every region of Virginia, which will include more than 20 stops.

"Mike is quickly emerging as the net-roots and grassroots candidate," his spokesman Christian Rickers said. "The number of investors in his campaign represents the strength of his organization and the power of his message."

Signer of Arlington was a senior strategist to U.S. Rep Tom Perriello and a deputy counselor to Warner. He is currently a senior national security policy fellow at the think tank Third Way and a principal of the Truman National Security Project.

Three other Democrats are running: Jon Bowerbank, a businessman from Russell County, Pat Edmonson, a member of the Virginia Beach School Board and former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate R. Creigh Deeds' campaign filed 15,942 signatures with the Virginia State Board of Elections today to get his name on the June 9 primary ballot.

The state requires candidates to submit at least 10,000 signatures, including those of least 400 registered voters in each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts.

"We are excited with our tremendous showing of grassroots support to get on the ballot on June 9th," Deeds said. "This puts us on the way to securing the nomination and beating Bob McDonnell in November."

His Democratic rivals, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran, submitted their petitions March 24 on the first day candidates were eligible to file.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell received $1 million from the Republican Governor's Association last month for his campaign, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

"Everyone knows this is an important race with national implications,'' said Tucker Martin, McDonnell's spokesman. "We welcome the strong support of the Republican Governor's Association. They are helping us take Bob McDonnell's positive message of new jobs and more opportunities to every voter in every region of Virginia."

Other groups that have donated large amounts in the governor's race include the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees and the Firefighters Interested in Registration and Education. They contributed a total of $475,000 to Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

"Terry's proud to have the support of working men and women across Virginia, including members of AFSCME and fire fighters,'' said Lis Smith, McAuliffe's spokeswoman. "As this report shows, the national Republican Party has made good on their promises to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, into the Virginia gubernatorial race by contributing $1 million to Republican Bob McDonnell's campaign. It's critical that Democrats nominate a candidate who will have the resources to build a statewide grassroots operation and compete against the national Republican Party in November."

Democrat gubernatorial candidate Sen. R. Creigh Deeds will not appear at next week's Shad Planking, a longtime Virginia tradition where politicians come to see and be seen.

Deeds' decision is surprising because appearing at the Shad Planking is considered a must-do for statewide candidates.

"It's highly unusual,'' said Robert W. Bain, chairman of the Wakefield Ruritan Club, which organizes the event.

The three other gubernatorial candidates -- Democrats Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran and Republican Robert F. McDonnell -- will attend.

Virginia Republicans are considering selecting either Pat Mullins of Louisa County or Alexandra Liddy Bourne of Fairfax County as their new state party chairman May 2.

Until then, First Vice Chairman Mike Thomas, a leader in the movement to remove Jeffrey M. Frederick yesterday will serve as interim party chairman, a post he has held three times since 2003.

Thomas, a consultant at the McGuire Woods, said he will not run to complete Frederick's four-year term.

But don't count Frederick out just yet.

The Republican State Central Committee began meeting this morning to determine whether to remove Jeffrey M. Frederick as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

Sixty-seven members of the 77-member were present. Another 10 sent proxies. But the committee rejected one of the proxies because he did not live in the correct district. Frederick supporters believe the person carrying proxy want to keep the chairman and scrambled to find someone to replace him.

Fifty-seven members of those present at the meeting are needed to remove Frederick. If the proxy is replaced, 58 members will be needed.

Dozens of supporters gathered outside Marriott west of Richmond holding signs in support of Frederick before the 10 a.m. meeting began. "Elected, not selected,'' they chanted.

The meeting, which is taking place behind closed doors, is expected to last much of the day. Members will hear from both sides, who were passing around thick briefing books detailing both the evidence for and against Frederick.

Last week, Democratic gubernatorial Brian Moran blasted his rival Terry McAuliffe for attending a Washington fundraiser hosted by BGR Group, a lobbying firm founded in part by Republican Ed Rogers.

But it turns out BGR and Rogers hosted a fundraiser for another Virginia Democrat.

A fundraiser honoring U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia was held in October 2008 when the former governor was running for Senate. The invitation included Rogers, along with nine other lobbyists with BGR, including former Bush aide Eric Burgeson, Lanny Griffith, who worked in the George H.W. Bush White House and Bob Wood, chief of staff to former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.

Moran criticized McAuliffe last week for his relationship with Rogers, who helped carry the Republican message on TV last year with pointed references to President Obama's middle name, Hussein.

So what does Moran say now?

Did Mike Huckabee's visit to Virginia this week end up helping or hurting Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert F. McDonnell?

For the second day in a row, the former Aksanas governor and presidential candidate has come under fire by state Democrats for comments made earlier this week while campaigning with McDonnell.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate R. Creigh Deeds and C. Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, called on McDonnell to apologize for Huckabee's remark that Northern Virginians "aren't necessarily thinking the same way folks like you and me think."

"They may never have fully understood how hard it is for a lot of people to put a paycheck together, to be able to feed a family," he said.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe unveiled a plan today to encourage residents to buy home and keep homeowners in their houses.

His plan includes educating consumers on financial issues, creating savings accounts and a commonwealth-funded revolving loan program for homebuyers and protecting consumers from predatory lending practices.

"The severity of the current financial crisis overall, and the mortgage crisis in particular, undermines the most basic part of the American dream: homeownership," McAuliffe said. "Much is happening at the federal level to address the mortgage crisis and under Governor Kaine, Virginia has taken bold and aggressive steps to address the issues raised in the current crisis. We need to look beyond the crisis and keep our eye on the long-term goal: increasing homeownership for all in a sensible and realistic way."

McAuliffe also proposes limiting mortgage companies' ability to collect high-spread premiums and charge prepayment penalties, prohibiting foreclosure rescuers from gaining power of attorney from a homeowner, establishing a foreclosure mediation program and creating a foreclosure prevention hotline.

Former secretary of finance Jody Wager announced 60 more endorsements today from elected officials and local leaders in her campaign for lieutenant governor.

They include Del. Delores L. McQuinn (D-Richmond) Del. Paul F. Nichols (D-Prince William), Lynchbug Mayor Joan Foster, Covington Mayor Mayor Stephanie R. Clark, Charlottesville Mayor David Norris and Quantico Mayor Iris Tharp.

Wagner now has the support of 45 members of the General Assembly, 14 Mayors and hundreds of grassroots activists and volunteers.

The remainder of the endorsements from today are below:

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe criticized Republican nominee Robert F. McDonnell today McAuliffe for standing by silently while his surrogate Mike Huckabee encouraged Republicans to keep voters from the poll on Election Day.

Huckabee, former governor of Arkanses and presidential candidate in 2008, jokingly told supporters at a McDonnell campaign rally this week: "You have two jobs. One, get all those people who are going to vote for Bob out to the polls and vote. If they're not going to vote for Bob, you have another job. Let the air out of their tires and do not let them out of their driveway on Election Day. Keep 'em home. Do the Lord's work, my friend. I'm giving you an opportunity...yes, do the right thing." Members of the audience laughed.

McAuliffe told reporters that as chairman of the Democratic National Committee he started the Voting Rights Institute, designed to highlight the importance of voting rights and point out flaws in they voting systems across the country.

"Let's be clear: there are no jokes to be made about denying people the right to vote in this country,'' he said. "It's not a laughing matter. This is a right that people fought and died for, so as public figures, we must be sure that we are setting the standard."

The four-seater plane carrying Robert F. McDonnell bounced through rain and fog last night on the short trip from the Eastern Shore to Frederickburg, where the Republican gubernatorial nominee was headed for a rally.

Curly Byler, the 88-year-old father of Gary C. Byler, chairman of the 2nd Congressional District Republican Committee in Virginia Beach, flew the plane in and out of the clouds and circled the area before he was able to land the plane in bad weather.

Curly Byler has been flying for 70 years. He has flown Virginia gubernatorial candidates for three decades.

Gary C. Byler said his father cheated death eight times while flying, including once when he ran out of gas and another time when he flew through a hurricane in Florida. "My dad flies in ridiculous conditions,'' Gary Byler said. "Nothing bothers him."

This morning, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe rolled out plans to make healthcare more affordable, increase access to higher education and secure retirement savings.

"Our economic struggles have not been evenly distributed around Virginia - some communities, some industries, have been hit much harder than others," McAuliffe said. "But Virginians everywhere can see what is happening, and they wonder how it may affect them. State government cannot solve all of our problems. But it should be an ally to the aspirations and goals of its citizens."

The three Democratic candidates for governor are feverishly campaigning across the state, releasing policy proposals several times a week. Yesterday, McAuliffe and rival Brian Moran unveiled proposals to lure Hollywood film crews to the state and boost the number of businesses owned by women and minorities.

Today, McAuliffe proposed offering unemployed workers low-interest loans to help buy health insurance or allowing them to buy into existing state health insurance programs or other health plans..

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran continues to receive endorsements almost daily from elected officials and local Democratic groups across the state.

Moran, a former delegate, and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, to a lesser extent, clearly have the support of many of local Democratic officials in Virginia. Newcomer Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee has announced a limited number of endorsements but says he approaches them in a different way -- trying to solicit support from local activists.

The June 9 election may test how powerful and effective local endorsement is in a Democratic primary.

Energy has quickly become one of the top issues in the contest for the Democratic nomination for governor. The three candidates took similar approaches to the news yesterday afternoon that Dominion Virginia Power is seeking to raise electricity rates 6.9 percent during the next 14 months.

But only state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds called on the State Corporation Commission to reject the proposed increase.

"This is the most serious economic crisis since the Great Depression, and it's simply not the time to ask Virginia families to pay more for their monthly energy bill,'' he said. "It's time to put the middle class first again. I call on the Virginia State Corporation Commission to reject this rate increase on Virginia's working families."

Robert F. McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor, and Mike Huckabee, former presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor, had an impromptu jam session at a fundraiser last night in Bristol attended by 130 people.

Huckabee headlined fundraisers for McDonnell in Roanoke and Bristol yesterday and in Virginia Beach today. He helped raise $360,000 at the three events.

Huckabee is playing the bass guitar and yes, that's McDonnell on the drums.

Terry McAuliffe, who has spent decades in Washington working with national Democratic leaders and forging close ties to unions, received another in a series of labor endorsements today in his race for governor.

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO, was the latest to announce its support of McAuliffe, citing his approach to create and protect jobs.

"Like millions of other Americans, Boilermakers are nervous about the economy and about their future, and their children's future,'' Boilermakers International President Newton B. Jones said. "There is uncertainty and concern, but also hope. We believe our best days are ahead of us and Terry is the best answer to Virginia's need for a leader who can take on some very tough challenges and build a stronger economy."

In recent weeks, McAuliffe has been endorsed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the largest union in the AFL-CIO, and the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters.

Jeffrey M. Frederick, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, hired two longtime Republicans to defend him Saturday in his fight against the party's governing board.

Lawyers A.J. Dudley, chairman of the 9th House of Delegates legislative district and former federal law clerk (whose dad was a member of the House) and William Stanley, chairman of the Franklin County Republican Committee who worked on the Paula Jones sexual harrassment case against former president Bill Clinton, were retained yesterday.

The State Central Committee has scheduled an emergency meeting to vote on whether to remove Frederick, who is opposed by nearly every top-ranking Republican officeholder in Virginia.

Dudley said in an interview today that Frederick will not resign this week, but he is still seeking "a fair resolution is in everyone's best interest."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe was endorsed this morning by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the largest union in the AFL-CIO.

AFSCME, which has more than 10,000 members in Virginia, cited McAuliffe's leadership, business experience and vision, calling him the candidate best equipped to get the state's economy back on track.

"In these tough economic times, it is more critical than ever that we work to grow the economy," AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee said. "Terry McAuliffe...will work to address rising unemployment head-on by creating new jobs and new opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. Not only do we support his vision of a stronger Virginia, we will be proud to work with him to make it happen."

Mitt Romney, former presidential candidate and former governor of Massachusetts, will speak at the state Republican convention in May.

Romney will headline the Commonwealth Gala at the Richmond Downtown Marriott on May 29. Talk show host Sean Hannity will speak the next day at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

About 8,000 to 10,000 activists are expected to attend the convention.

Former state attorney general Robert F. McDonnell has already been certified the GOP nominee for governor. But delegates will chose their nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

More than 500 enthusiastic supporters turned out in Annandale today to cheer on Republican Robert F. McDonnell as he officially began his campaign for governor.

U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf and former congressman Tom Davis greeted McDonnell, his wife, Maureen, a former Washington Redskins cheerleader, and all of his five children at a fire station. Eldest daughter Jeanine, 28, a former Army lieutenant who served in Iraq, introduced him.

McDonnell began his six-day "New Jobs, More Opportunities" tour of the state with a mostly positive speech outlining broad policy goals that focus on creating jobs and boosting the economy, partly by cutting bureaucratic red tape to allow Virginians to open a business in 48 hours. He mentioned jobs 19 times.

"To every Virginian who has lost their job, to every small-business owner trying to make payroll, to every retiree afraid to look at their retirement account, to every homeowner struggling to make the next mortgage payment, to every parent worried about writing that next tuition and book check: This campaign is for you," he said to cheers.

Former attorney general Robert F. McDonnell officially kicks off his campaign for governor this morning at a rally at an Annandale fire station. Several hundreds of supporters are expected to attend.

Later today, McDonnell will knock on doors on Wagon Wheel Road in the Mount Vernon section of Fairfax County to speak to potential voters on the street where he lived from age 8 until he left for college. He will then fly to Richmond, Virginia Beach and Roanoke.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) and others elected officials are expected to attend today's events. Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will join McDonnell on Monday.

McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor, will embark on a six-day tour of the state that will include visits to every region of Virginia.

See below for the full schedule:

Del. Adam P. Ebbin, the highest-ranking openly gay elected official in Virginia and the only openly gay member of the General Assembly, endorsed Democrat Brian Moran for governor.

Ebbin cited Moran's long-term commitment to fighting discrimination and his opposition to the Virginia marriage amendment, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman and was passed by voters in 2006.

"Brian Moran has always been a leader in the fight against discrimination, even when it wasn't popular," Ebbin said.

Moran, a former delegate, had been endorsed by the Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club and received the support of Equality Virginia PAC.

Del. Franklin P. Hall (D-Richmond) will retire next month after more than three decades in the House.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) will appoint Hall to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

"Frank Hall has been a friend and colleague for many years, and has faithfully served the people of Virginia for several decades," Kaine said. "He brings a wealth of experience and talent to his new job, having represented clients before the ABC Commission during more than 40 years as an attorney."

Hall has represented the Richmond area since 1975 and was Democratic leader from 2002 to 2008. His last day in the House will be April 14.

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich will headline Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's campaign kickoff gala in Richmond on April 17.

Gingrich, who served as speaker from 1995 to 1999, co-authored the 1994 Contract with America, a detailed plan of action for Congress, and helped end four decades of Democratic majorities in the House.

Bolling will face lawyer Patrick Muldoon for the Republican nomination.

Four Democrats are running: Jon Bowerbank, a businessman from Russell County, Pat Edmonson, a member of the Virginia Beach School Board, Michael Signer, an attorney who worked for former governor Mark R. Warner and former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner.

David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington School Board, was endorsed by the mayor of the state's largest city, Virginia Beach's Will Sessoms, for the Republican nomination of attorney general.

"As mayor of Virginia Beach, I know that Dave Foster will be the attorney general we need to cut red tape, bring jobs to Virginia and help get the economy moving again," Sessoms said.

Foster faces John Brownlee, the former top prosecutor for Virginia's western district, and state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax) at a Republican convention in May. Only one Democrat, Del. Stephen C. Shannon (D-Fairfax), has announced his intention to run.

"I'm elated that Will Sessoms is backing my candidacy," Foster said. "His endorsement is a significant breakthrough and sends a clear signal to Republicans dedicated to strengthening our party and achieving a solid victory for the entire GOP ticket next November."

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe proposed today a complete ban on gifts from lobbyists to Virginia lawmakers and members of the executive branch.

He also said he would create a state-run Website that would detail lawmakers' campaign contributions, bills and the state budget. Those items are already available on various Websites but McAuliffe said he would put them all together in a more user friendly way.

McAuliffe's plan also calls for an online database of government contracts and improved ethics courses.

"As we work to grow our economy and create jobs across the Commonwealth, we must lead by example and demonstrate to taxpayers that their money is being spent fairly and wisely," McAuliffe said.

McAuliffe also pledged not to take any corporate contributions from companies receiving taxpayer-funded bailout money.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran announced today an economic stimulus and recovery plan that will focus on growing small businesses and creating local jobs by cutting taxes, tying the minimum wage to inflation and appointing a watchdog over federal stimulus money.

Moran made the announcement at a barber shop in Richmond as part of his economic recovery tour that began Friday in Charlottesville and included stops in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.

"People are struggling today, and they need us to take real action to fix our economy," Moran said. "We're going to grow this economy from the bottom up, not the top down. It's time we started investing in Main Street, not just Wall Street, and help our small businesses create jobs."

Moran's plan includes creating a small business job creation tax credit, eliminating the corporate income tax for small businesses, assembling an economic strike force to focus on recruiting businesses to Virginia's hardest hit communities and appointing a watchdog to coordinate the federal dollars flowing into Virginia.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates R. Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran announced today that they will participate in five debates and three joint appearances before the June 9 primary.

The Washington Post and washingtonpost.com will host the last debate, along with Northern Virginia Community College, on May 19 in Annandale.

Deeds campaign manager Joe Abbey, McAuliffe campaign manager Mike Henry and Moran general consultant Steve Jarding released the following joint statement:

"We are pleased to announce this debate and joint appearance schedule in the run-up to the June 9th primary to pick our next Democratic governor of Virginia. Our campaigns worked together to schedule as many joint appearances and debates as possible all across the Commonwealth. Our candidates - Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe, and Brian Moran - look forward to having several spirited debates on the important issues facing Virginians."

A full list of debates and appearances is below:

Democratic gubernatorial Brian Moran criticized his rival Terry McAuliffe for attending a Washington fundraiser last night hosted by the prestigious BGR lobbying firm founded by Republicans Ed Rogers and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, now vice-chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

Rogers has worked to defeat Democrats nationwide, including Barack Obama in the presidential race. He attacked Obama in several national TV appearances last year.

"Rogers joined Rush Limbaugh and others in raising racially and religiously charged attacks against then Senator Obama,'' said Andrew Roos, Moran's campaign manager. "It's sad that in the same week Terry McAuliffe aired a radio ad claiming credit for helping to elect Barack Obama, he's holding a fundraiser with someone who did everything he could to defeat him."

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe turned heads when he announced that he has already hired 98 staffers -- a record amount this early in a statewide campaign in Virginia. That's more than three times as much as his rivals.

Here's a rundown of staff and offices for all four gubernatorial candidates:

Terry McAuliffe (D): 98 staffers, 8 offices
Offices are in McLean, Woodbridge, Alexandria, Loudoun, Richmond, Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Charlottesville. Two more offices in Hampton and Fredericksburg will open this week.

R. Creigh Deeds (D): 29 staffers, 4 offices
Offices are in Charlottesville, Richmond, Portsmouth and Alexandria. Two more offices will be open in the coming days.

Brian Moran (D): 25 staffers, 3 offices
Offices are in Alexandria, Arlington and Richmond.

Robert F. McDonnell (R): 30 staffers, 1 office
Office is in Richmond.

Former presidential nominee John McCain is expected to bring in $250,000 for Robert F. McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor, at a fundraiser to be held tonight in Virginia, according to McDonnell's campaign.

The Arizona senator will headline an event at the McLean home of R. Carter Pate, McCain's Virginia finance chairman.

Next up: Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate, will appear at fundraisers in Roanoke, Bristol and Virginia Beach early next week.

The next campaign finance reports from the candidates for governor include donations through the end of March. They are due April 15.

Vice President Joe Biden (D) spoke to several governors, including Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), earlier today about implementating the federal economic stimulus package.

Governors on the conference call included those from Arkansas, Nebraska, Utah, Oregon, North Carolina and Virginia. Eight mayors, but none from Virginia, were on a second call.

Virginia is expected to receive about $5 billion from the federal package. Legislators used about $1.5 billion to help cover a $3.7 billion shortfall in the two-year, $77 billion budget.

Democratic candidates for governor Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe will stop in Richmond today to turn in the signatures needed to be on the primary ballot June 9.

In Virginia, the candidate who turns in his petitions first gets their name on the ballot first.

McAuliffe and Moran both plan to be at the state Board Board of Elections office just before noon -- the first time the signatures will be accepted.

The three Democratic candidates have until April 10 to submit 10,000 signatures (including 400 from each congressional district) to the state.

State sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath will not turn in petitions today. He is expected to do so later in the month, ensuring that he will be last on the ballot.

Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate for governor, said today that he would use infrastructure development grants, tax credits and exemptions and other financial assistance to help bring more jobs to Virginia.

"There's no such thing as a Republican job or a Democratic job - we simply need to bring people together to create good jobs, and that's what I've been doing my whole life," McAuliffe said. "My Business Plan for Virginia is really a jobs plan - my number one priority as governor will be to create, attract, and keep good jobs with good wages and benefits for every Virginia family."

Speaking from Danville, McAuliffe announced that he would create a pilot project to award tax incentives to companies that create jobs that offer benefits, such as health insurance, and are in high-growth industries, such as energy, as well as allow some companies to defer their taxes.

He also pledged to form and serve as chairman of a new committee to advise him on economic issues and to expand small business incubators, which provide office space, supplies and other resources, to new companies.

Organizing for America, the group that worked to help elect President Obama last year, will begin canvassing in Virginia and across the nation tomorrow to support Obama's proposed budget.

Volunteers will knock on doors and talk to residents at homes and businesses in Norfolk, Richmond, Arlington, Leesburg, Gainesville and Chesapeake.

"The President has a bold plan to invest in America's future and get our economy moving again, and now he needs our help to turn his budget into law,'' said Mitch Stewart, director of Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee. "That's why it's so important for Americans on Saturday to go door-to-door and talk to their neighbors about the President's plan and ask them for their support."

Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate, will spend two days in Virginia at the end of March to help Robert F. McDonnell raise money for his gubernatorial campaign.

Huckabee will headline fundraisers in Roanoke and Bristol on March 30 and in Virginia Beach on March 31. The Baptist preacher and TV host will play the bass guitar.

A succession of national GOP figures have already helped McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor.

Former delegate Flora Crittenden said she did not endorse Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran in the June 9 primary, even though he used her name in a press release earlier this week.

Crittenden, a well-respected Democrat who represented Hampton Roads for a decade before retiring in 2003, said that she "did not authorize the Moran for Governor Campaign to release my name as an endorser of his candidacy."

Crittenden was listed on a press release Monday along with more than a dozen former or current elected leaders in the Hampton Roads region.

"Brian Moran holds Flora Crittenden in the absolute highest regard, and appreciates the support she has given him in the past,'' said Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for Moran. "Our staff thought we had confirmation of her public support, but this appears to be a miscommunication and we apologized to former delegate Crittenden for any inconvenience."

Last month, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe unveiled a list of 14 party activists from across the state who endorsed him in the Democratic primary.

But at least one of them never did.

Anita Hartke, chairwoman of Culpeper County Democratic Committee and candidate for Congress last year, said in an interview that she did not endorse McAuliffe over rivals R. Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran. Hartke, whose father was a U.S. senator from Indiana, said she will not endorse any candidate in the June 9 primary.

"I believe we have three outstanding leaders with vision and drive running for governor in Virginia,'' she said.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell is trying to make inroads in the state's Asian community through a series of meet-and-greet events.

Check out this clip from SBTN, a Vietnamese station available in the United States through DISH and local cable networks, from a March 3 appearance at the Tower Club in McLean. (McDonnell's part is in English).

Former U.S. Rep. Owen Pickett (D-Va.) endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe today.

Pickett, who represented the Hampton Roads area from 1987 to 2001 and has been an advocate for the region's military installations, cited McAuliffe's decades of experience creating jobs and turning around businesses.

"Terry McAuliffe has the dynamic leadership qualities and visionary problem solving ability that Virginia needs today to deal with the serious economic challenges confronting us, " Pickett said. "Whether it's his commitment to keeping the nuclear carriers in Norfolk or developing Virginia's green industry, Terry will bring the innovative ideas that we need in Richmond to create and keep good jobs here in the Commonwealth."

Democratic candidates for governor will help School Board member Ilryong Moon (D) in tomorrow's special election to fill a spot on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds will make phone calls at the Moon campaign headquarters in Annandale. Former delegate Brian Moran has sent staff to help Moon's campaign tonight and Moran will be at his headquarters tomorrow morning to make calls. Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAulifee helped with canvassing and has made his headquarters available tomorrow.

"We need to elect Ilryong Moon to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday," Deeds said. "The enthusiasm of Ilryong's volunteers is one of the greatest assets of his campaign. I look forward to joining his grassroots team to help get out the vote for Ilryong in the Braddock district."

The race pits Moon against lawyer and community activist John Cook (R) and accountant Carey C. Campbell, an independent. Moon and Cook are vowing to continue the legacy of Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D), who vacated her Braddock District seat when she was elected chairman of the 10-member board last month.

Del. Clarke N. Hogan (R-Charlotte) announced this weekend that he will not run for re-election in November.

Hogan, a friend of House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and a powerful budget conferee, has represented the southcentral part of the state since 2001.

Hogan did not immediately return calls today. But he told the Gazette Virginian in Halifax County that he made the decision after considering the responsibilities of owning and operating a business, Ontario Hardwood, during tough economic times.

"We are dealing with the toughest economy we have seen in 60 years, since the Great Depression that requires anyone who has a business to spend all of their focus on that business,'' he told the newspaper. "I see this decision as dealing with the reality of the environment."

Former delegate Brian Moran was endorsed today by several local elected leaders in Hampton Roads.

The leaders cited Moran's proven record of fighting for people, his policy plans and his grassroots campaign.

The list includes Sheriffs Bob McCabe of Norfolk and BJ Roberts of Hampton; Virginia Beach School Board Members Brent McKenzie and Todd Davidson; Commissioners of the Revenue Sharon McDonald of Norfolk and Ross Mugler of Hampton; City Councilman Bryan Collins of Chesapeake; Clerks of Court George Schaefer of Norfolk and Cynthia Morrison of Portsmouth; and several former and current members of the House of Delegates.

"I am proud to have the grassroots support of local leaders from across Hampton Roads," Moran said. "These officials have worked with Mark Warner and Tim Kaine so I'm honored that they see that style of leadership in me. I look forward to working with them to move Virginia forward."

Del. Stephen C. Shannon (D-Fairfax) announced today that his campaign for attorney general has picked up the support of the Ironworkers and United Transportation unions.

"Steve has a long record of fighting to protect working families," Ironworkers Local 5 Business Manager Kendall Martin said. "Steve has fought to protect Virginia's families his entire adult life, whether it was as a prosecutor going after criminals who target children, or a legislator working to protect our families, Virginians could always count on Steve to do what's right."

United Transportation Union Virginia Legislative Director Walter Yeatts credited Shannon with founding Virginia's first AMBER Alert system to recover abducted kids, prosecuting criminals who attacked children and fighting to create more jobs.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe attended a fundraiser last night at the Hollywood home of Haim Saban, a billionaire entertainment magnate and longtime supporter of Bill and Hillary Clinton.

It's part of a packed schedule that is taking the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee across the state and nation.

Unlike his Democratic opponents, state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds and former delegate Brian Moran, McAuliffe has the national contacts to raise money across the United States.

Check out his schedule this week:

Williamsburg Mayor Jeanne Zeidler announced her support of candidate Brian Moran in the Democratic primary for governor.

Zeidler cited Moran's proven record of working on transportation solutions and his plans to expand health care for every Virginia child.

"Brian Moran has a 20-year record of fighting for the people of Virginia," Zeidler said. "He will work hard for transportation solutions, to invest in education and to expand health care to every Virginia child...Brian's the type of leader who will wake up each and every day fighting for the people of Virginia and make our children his top priority."

Moran is running against state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe in the June 9 primary.

Rich Savage, a Democratic political advisor in Richmond, announced today that he is dropping out of the race for lieutenant governor in November.

"The worsening economic downturn presents too great a financial hurdle for my campaign to overcome,'' Savage said in a statement.

Savage jumped into the race in January by unveiling a 10-point education plan that included tuition forgiveness for graduates who serve as teachers for five years.

"The necessity of rebuilding our state's intellectual infrastructure does not end with my campaign,'' Savage said. "I call on the candidates who remain in the race - all of them good people and capable leaders - to seize the mantle of education reform. I will certainly continue to speak out for innovative solutions to the challenges that our schools face."

Savage is the founder of Media Directions, Inc., a political advertising firm that has done work for Democratic candidates in Virginia and the nation.

The Virginia Republican party's governing body has asked state chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick to resign after a series of missteps, internal disagreements and the party's election losses last year.

Frederick (R-Prince William) has not said whether he will resign or face a vote to remove him at an emergency state central committee meeting next month. He and his spokesman did not return phone calls today.

Frederick campaigned for the job of chairman last year as a young, energetic leader who blamed his predecessor for failures at the polls. But many now consider his short tenure a failure.

In November, Republicans lost a U.S. Senate seat, three U.S. House seats and their 44-year-old hold on Virginia's 13 presidential electoral votes.

Frederick's critics said his lackluster fundraising, his disputes with Sen. John McCain's campaign team and his ill-timed remark comparing Sen. Barack Obama to Osama bin Laden did nothing to help.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's chief counselor Larry Roberts will be leaving the administration to join his boss at the Democratic National Committee in Washington, according to sources close to the governor.

Roberts, who was chairman of Kaine's 2005 gubernatorial campaign, will become senior advisor to the chairman. President Obama picked Kaine to serve as DNC chairman for a four-year term starting in January.

Mark Rubin, senior advisor to the governor, will replace Roberts, sources say

Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell accused the Democratic Party of Virginia of duping more than 50 local leaders into attacking him by providing them with false information about his stance on the stimulus package.

Last week, on a conference call organized by the Democratic party, the leaders called on McDonnell to pledge he would accept the federal stimulus package, but McDonnell had already said he would accept the money if elected governor.

"I am sorry the Democratic Party of Virginia leadership in Richmond gave you erroneous information, and asked you to launch an attack unsupported by the facts,'' McDonnell wrote in a letter to local leaders today. "Certainly every campaign should be characterized by full, open, and vigorous debate over the policy issues of the day. But when a political party ignores widely available public information in order to score political points that is not responsible. I am sure you did not appreciate being put out publicly in support of an assertion that was false."

Jared Leopold, a spokesman for the Democratic party, said McDonnell said he opposed to the stimulus package several times in February, claiming it would be bad "long-term for America" and said the best way to create opportunity and jobs is "not stimulus."

While state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds and former delegate Brian Moran continue to look for a few headlines in Virginia, their Democratic rival for governor has been traveling across the United States this week.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported yesterday that Terry McAuliffe attended a fundraiser at a Chicago restuarant Monday night. Hosts include J.B. Pritzker, whose family founded the Hyatt hotel chain, and attorney Kevin O'Keefe, a longtime friend of Hillary Rodham Clinton who headed Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in Illinois.

Tonight, McAuliffe will be in Phoenix for a happy hour event with the Arizona Democratic Council.

John Brownlee, the former top prosecutor for Virginia's western district, announced today that U.S. Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte (R-Va.) endorsed him in the race for attorney general.

"I have known John Brownlee for many years. I know him to be a dedicated public servant, a good family man and a solid conservative,'' Goodlatte wrote. "John's conservative values, his military service and - especially - his prosecutorial experience uniquely qualify him for the position of attorney general."

Brownlee faces two other Republicans -- state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax) and David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board. Only one Democrat, Del. Stephen C. Shannon (D-Fairfax), has announced his intention to run.

Brownlee also is being supported by Jerry Falwell, Jr., chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg.

Del. William H. Fralin Jr., who has represented Roanoke since 2004, announced today on the House of Delegates floor that he will not seek re-election in November.

Fralin, 46, is the fifth delegate to announce his retirement this year.

Others include Dels. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R-Prince William), Albert C. Eisenberg (D-Arlington), Frank D. Hargrove Sr. (R-Hanover) and Kenneth R. Melvin (D-Portsmouth)

All 100 seats will be on the ballot in November.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) said this week that he told all three Democratic candidates for govenor -- Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe and former delegate Brian Moran -- that he will make himself available to them if they need campaign advice.

But in an interview with Washington Post reporters and editors, Kaine, the new DNC chairman, said he plans to stay neutral in the race until after the June 9 primary.

What about Republican gubernatorial nominee Robert F. McDonnell?

Kaine said that he and McDonnell had a good working relationship before McDonnell resigned last week as attorney general to campaign full time.

He said McDonnell even called him before President Obama's historic inauguration last month to ask for tickets for him and his family. "I'm just glad he wanted to go,'' Kaine said.

McDonnell, who talks frequently about how well he and Kaine worked together, said he knows things are about to change.

"Our relationship will change a little bit because his main mission in life is to beat me,'' McDonnell quipped.. "That will probably strain out friendship."

Former Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell called on his three rivals for governor to join him in writing a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to ask for the exploration of Virginia's offshore energy resources.

The decision comes after Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) sent a letter to Salazar asking for a delay in developing energy resources off the Virginia coast.

The 25-year-old federal moratorium on energy exploration and development off the coast of Virginia expired last year. The leasing of rights off the coast is scheduled for 2011.

McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor, said drilling will create thousands of jobs and produce hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. A delay, he said, would eliminate Virginia's ability to start drilling before other Atlantic states.

"I urge the Democratic candidates for governor to put aside their pandering to special interests and do what's right for Virginia families,'' McDonnell said. "Democrats need to stop saying no to new jobs and revenue for Virginia."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky will host a fundraiser next month for former attorney general Robert F. McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor.

The St. Patrick's Day event will be held March 13 at the Alexandria home of Ed Gillespie, McDonnell's general chairman who previously served as counselor to George W. Bush and chairman of the Republican National Committee.

National Republicans are investing heavily in McDonnell's campaign as they fight to win back the governor's mansion in a state that has been trending from red to blue.

Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani have already hosted fundraisers. Former presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, will travel to Virginia to campaign for McDonnell March 25.

"Everybody who cares about the Republican party nationally and everybody who wants to run for president in 2012 will be in Virginia'' this year, McDonnell said.

The General Assembly unanimously confirmed William C. Mims, a former Republican legislator from Loudoun County, as Virginia's attorney general.

Mims, chief deputy attorney general, will replace Robert F. McDonnell (R), who stepped down last week to campaign for governor. He will be sworn in tomorrow.

"I am honored to serve as Attorney General following Bob McDonnell," Mims said. "Bob McDonnell was an exceptional Attorney General, and I plan to continue his legacy by providing the very best legal services for Virginia's citizens."

Mims, 51, served three terms in the House and two state terms in the Senate, will finish McDonnell's term, which ends in January. He said he will not run for re-election.

"Today's unanimous confirmation vote demonstrates the high regard in which Bill is held by leaders from both political parties,'' McDonnell said in a statement. "He is beloved by the staff at the office, widely respected in the Virginia legal and political communities, and well suited to serve as the next Attorney General of Virginia."

Sen. John S. Edwards (D-Roanoke) is one of five candidates recommended by the Virginia Bar Association for a judgeship on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

More than 20 candidates had expressed interest in the post. President Obama will make the appointment and the U.S. Senate will confirm the selection.

Edwards. who unsuccessfully ran for Democratic nominee for attorney general in 2001 and considered a run in 2005, also may be considering running again. He would face Del. Stephen C. Shannon (D-Fairfax) in the June 9 primary.

Three Republicans are already in the race. State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax), John Brownlee, the former top prosecutor for Virginia's western district, and David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board.

In a fundraising letter sent yesterday, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe ignored his Democratic opponents and instead went after Republican nominee Robert F. McDonnell.

"It seems like every time we get a chance to put aside partisanship and get things done, Bob McDonnell chooses ideology over what's best for the Commonwealth,'' McAuliffe said. "Maybe that's why I heard Republicans are going to throw the kitchen sink into Virginia to help his campaign. Sure enough, Bob's planning to bring in people like Sean Hannity, John McCain and Sarah Palin in order to fuel it."

McDonnell's spokesman Tucker Martin countered McAuliffe's accusations. "Bob McDonnell has a record of building bipartisan coalitions to help Virginia,'' he said. "Chairman McAuliffe is a career partisan who has a record of professional fundraising to help the national Democratic Party. This defines empty rhetoric."

Del. Kenneth R. Melvin (D-Portsmouth) announced today that he will retire from the House of Delegates after 24 years.

Melvin, one of the longest-serving members of the Courts of Justice Committee, is credited with defending civil rights and supporting the disadvantaged.

"Ken Melvin has one of the sharpest legal minds of anyone I've ever had the privilege to work with," House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) said. "He has devoted his career to the equal and fair distribution of the law, and this House will not be the same without him."

Melvin, elected to the House in 1985, and represents parts of Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Norfolk.

Robert F. McDonnell (R) officially steps down today as the state's 44th attorney general to campaign full time for governor.

Employees will throw a party for McDonnell this afternoon. Three of them will move with him to the campaign office -- J. Tucker Martin, communications director, as well as his scheduler and deputy scheduler.

In a statement released by McDonnell's office, a slew of prominent state and national leaders praised him for his work over the last three years. The varied group includes Bill Leighty, former chief of staff to Democratic Govs. Mark R. Warner and Timothy M. Kaine, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., City of Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Herring (who just endorsed Democratic candidate Brian Moran for governor) and Chuck Curran, chief counsel for AOL.

"It has been a distinct pleasure to have served at a time that Bob McDonnell was Attorney General,'' Leighty said. "As a career state employee, I have worked with a number of Attorneys General. General McDonnell distinguished himself in his treatment of the professionals at the Attorney General's Office and with his attention to the improvement of management efficiencies in the operation of the office."

Former Democratic National Committee ChairmanTerry McAuliffe announced today that his campaign for governor has received endorsements from Democratic leaders from across the state.

In supporting him, the leaders cited McAuliffe's vision for turning Virginia's economy around and their belief that McAuliffe is best qualified to carry on the tradition of leadership set by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and former Gov. Mark R. Warner.

"We Democrats have made such incredible gains over the past seven years, specifically because we have stayed focused on delivering results for Virginians," said Jim Turpin, vice chairman of finance for the Virginia Democratic Party. "Terry is the candidate in this race who is best qualified to get Virginia's economy back on track, and that's the result voters are looking for."

McAuliffe is running against state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath and former delegate Brian Moran of Alexandria. Both men have been running for governor for more than a year, and have already announced dozens of Democratic endorsements.

A list of McAuliffe's endorsements from today is below:

Former U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) will be made an honorary Knight Commander by Queen Elizabeth II.

The award is in recognition of Warner's service to strengthening the alliance between the United States and United Kingdom, particularly in fighting threats to national security around the world, according to a press release from the British Ambassador.

"John Warner has spent his life in the service of the American people,'' British Ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald said. "Throughout his long and distinguished career he has been a constant and unstinting friend of the United Kingdom, working with us on issues ranging from defense cooperation to the Northern Ireland peace process."

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, state legislators, lobbyists and staffers squared off at a charity basketball game tonight at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

Kaine and his staff, many wearing blue "Kainiac" T-shirts, faced Richmond's lobbyists. Spotted on the court: Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer, Technology Secretary Aneesh Chopra, Kaine's chief counsel Larry Roberts, Keith Hare of the Medical Society of Virginia, and Keenan Caldwell of the American Cancer Society, among others.

After the Kainiacs lost to the lobbyists, the House of Delegates played the Senate. But only three senators showed up and staffers and others including one reporter had to help fill out their team.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor this year, will speak at the Republican Governors Association annual gala Monday in Washington.

The gala is the RGA's largest event of the year and is attended by most of the nation's Republican governors.

Govs. Charlie Crist of Florida, Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Haley Barbour of Mississippi will be the featured speakers. McDonnell and New Jersey's former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie will also speak.

Ed Gillespie, former counselor to President George W. Bush and chairman of the Republican National Committee, will serve as chairman of Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R)'s campaign for governor this year.

Gillespie, a former lobbyist and a fixture in national Republican politics for two decades, will be involved in every aspect of strategy, policy development, communications and fundraising, according to senior campaign officials. The Fairfax County resident will also be a frequent surrogate for McDonnell across the state and nation.

His involvement is further proof that Republcians are investing heavily in McDonnell's campaign as they fight to win back the governor's mansion in a state that has been trending from red to blue.

"Bob McDonnell is the right person to lead Virginia forward in these challenging times,'' Gillespie said in a statement. "His record of bringing people together to get things done is exactly what we need right now."

Gillespie served as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia from December 2006 to June 2007 and was a political advisor for George Allen when the former Virginia governor and senator considered running for president.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R-Prince William), chairman of the state GOP, is keeping his pledge to not seek re-election in November, but is trying to convince his wife, Amy, to run for his seat.

In a letter this morning, Frederick asks supporters to help urge his wife to run by visiting www.VoteAmy.com.

"While Amy hasn't yet made a final decision yet, she is leaning towards running but could use some extra convincing,'' he wrote. "As a mom and someone who has spent her career and life working for those less fortunate and providing a voice to those that needed one, I think she'd make a great delegate."

Fredrerick is completing his third two-year term. He vowed not to run for a fourth term if elected chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. His wife is a frequent visitor to Richmond and is often seen on the House floor with the couple's two young daughters.

Text of the full letter is below:

Republicans tried to gain more power in the Democratic-controlled Senate today by attempting to persuade a Democrat to vote with them on a change that would have given Republicans more representation on two key committees.

Republican leaders proposed adding their own co-chairman to the Finance and Courts of Justice committees and adding another Republican senator to Courts of Justice.

If Sen. Ralph S. Northam (D-Norfolk) had voted for the change, the chamber would have split 20 to 20 and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) would have broken the tie in favor of the Republicans.

State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds hired Brooke Borkenhagen to serve as communications director and spokesperson for his gubernatorial campaign.

Borkenhagen served as press secretary at the Iowa Democratic Party during the 2008 general election cycle. She was a press aide to Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) and North Dakota spokesperson for Obama for America in the lead up to the North Dakota caucus.

Peter Jackson, who had served as executive director of the Future Deeds political action committee and Deed's spokesman, will become senior advisor for communications. Jackson worked on Deeds' 2005 campaign for attorney general.

"Brooke and Peter bring a wide-range of experience to our team and will fill crucial roles communicating Senator Deeds' message of creating opportunity in every corner of Virginia," Deeds' camapaign manager Joe Abbey said.

Del. Stephen C. Shannon (D-Fairfax), the only announced Democratic candidate for the attorney general, receive support from the top two Democratic leaders in the House of Delegates.

House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong and Del. Kenneth R. Plum (D-Fairfax), chairman of the Democratic caucus, endorsed Shannon.

"I'm proud to support Steve because, when it comes to protecting children, Steve has been a leader since before his election to the House of Delegates," Armstrong said. "As a former prosecutor and as a dad, Steve knows what it takes to keep our kids safe."

Sen. John S. Edwards (D-Roanoke) is considering running, but has not made a decision.

For weeks, Republican legislators have been attacking their Democratic colleagues for attending fundraisers during the annual legislative session.

Now, Democrats are calling Republicans hypocrites for doing the same thing.

Fliers being distributed at the state Capitol and notices on the Internet publicize several Lincoln-Reagan Day dinners this month featuring Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and other delegates and senators.

"It turns out that House Republicans may have been soliciting funds during session,'' said Jared Leopold, a spokesman for the state Democratic party. "It's time for House Republicans to stop the political games and start focusing on the issues that matter to middle-class families in Virginia."

G. Paul Nardo, the speaker's chief of staff, said that when Howell saw his name on a draft flier of Stafford County's event he asked for it to be removed. Some of the fliers are still being distributed though.

Many Democratic legislators attended tonight's Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner but one of their leaders, House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry), was noticeably absent.

Republican legislators have criticized their Democratic colleagues for attending the event in past years because state law bans fundraising during the legislative session.

"I don't vote for a bill that bans attendance at such events or citicize the speaker for participating in his own and then show up at JJ,'' Armstrong wrote in an email.

For the third straight year, the House passed a bill that would ban lawmakers and statewide officials from attending fundraising events sponsored by a political party, lobbyist or campaign contributors during the legislative session.

About 3,000 Democrats clad in black tie and ballgowns gathered in downtown Richmond for the party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner. Each paid at least $175 per seat, generating the state party $700,000.

Former President Bill Clinton, the keynote speaker, received a standing ovation as he took the stage shortly at 7:30 p.m. after being introduced by Del. Lionell Spruill Sr. (D-Chesapeake).

Clinton mentioned Virginia's many recent Democratic wins, which includes back-to-back governors, U.S. Senate seats and the majority of U.S. House seats.

Republicans "have to go back to the drawing board just as we did and it may take them years to figure out,'' Clinton said. "I hope it does."

Clinton mentioned all the state's prominent Democrats, including Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, U.S. Sens. James Webb and Mark R. Warner. He even gave a shout out to Saron S. Bulova, elected chairwoman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this week.

Forty Democratic leaders and elected officials, many from southern Virginia, endorsed Jon Bowerbank for lieutenant governor today.

"There is no candidate more qualified for lieutenant governor than Jon Bowerbank,'' Del. Clarence E. "Bud" Phillips (D-Dickenson) said. "Jon's business experience and expertise in the energy sector are unparalleled, and that's exactly the experience and expertise that we need in Virginia's government. If we want a Democrat in the lieutenant governor's office come November, we need Jon Bowerbank as our candidate."

Bowerbank, a wealthy businessman from Russell County, faces former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner, political advisor Rich Savage and Pat Edmonson, a member of the Virginia Beach School Board, for the Democratic nomination.

"Today's endorsements confirm the incredible amount of excitement and energy around this campaign,'' Bowerbank said. "As more and more people hear our message of common sense solutions to our economic, energy, and infrastructure challenges, our campaign gains more and more momentum, and we will take this new energy all the way to Richmond."

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) will face lawyer Patrick Muldoon for the Republican nomination.

Americans for Prosperity, a group that supports limited government and free trade, has hired a company to make tens of thousands of phone calls to the offices of a dozen legislators to pressure them to vote against a smoking ban.

Targeted legislators include Republicans and Democrats who may be considering voting for a smoking ban this year because it is being supported by Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D).

"Our members are upset that the Speaker has chosen to trust big government to solve our problems instead of consumers," said Ben Marchi, the group's state director. "This is a consumer rights issue. This is the government telling consumers they aren't smart enough to decide for themselves where to patron."

Six mayor endorsed former finance secretary Jody Wagner today in her race for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

Bill Euille of Alexandria, James Holley of Portmouth, Linda Johnson of Suffolk, Mimi Elrod of Lexington, Faye Prichard of Ashland and Annie Mickens of Petersburg said they support Wagner because of her history working for former governor Mark R. Warner and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and focus on economic development.

"As mayors, we're on the front line every day dealing with this national economic crisis," Euille said. "We need leaders in state government who can help turn this economy around."

Former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee endorsed state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax) in his race for the Republican nomination for attorney general this year.

"Ken Cuccinelli is a rare breed of leader who boldly stands up for conservative principles,'' Huckabee wrote in an email. "I would have been honored to have served alongside a leader like Ken."

Huckabee mentioned that Cuccinelli is "pro-life" and drafted the Senate parental consent law, which passed in 2003, supports the Second Amendment and will fight for lower taxes and to slow down the growth of government.

"Virginia is blessed to have such a capable and proven leader like Ken,'' Huckabee wrote. "I am committed to doing what I can to help make sure the people of Virginia have Ken as their next attorney general."

Cuccinelli faces John Brownlee, the former top prosecutor for Virginia's western district, and David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board.

Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney will host a fundraiser this month for Barbara Comstock, who is running for a House of Delegates seat in Fairfax County in November.

Comstock, a fixture in Republican circles inside the Beltway, is running against Democratic Del. Margaret G. Vanderhye.

Comstock, who worked on Romney's presidential campaign last year, is now a lobbyist in the District. She has lived in McLean for more than 25 years.

Comstock worked on Capitol Hill for Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.) and the Government Reform Committee, ran opposition research for the Republican National Committee and helped Scooter Libby's legal team in his criminal case.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor, said today that former presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, will travel to Virginia to campaign for him next month.

McCain and McDonnell will appear together at the McLean home of R. Carter Pate, McCain's Virginia finance chairman on March 25.

McDonnell also said he expects to travel across the nation, including Texas, Chicago, Palm Beach and New York, for fundraisers.

"I have been fortunate to get some pretty broad support from some major political leaders,'' he said.

Mike Huckabee, the guitar-playing Baptist preacher and former Arkansas governor, will appear with McDonnell in the spring. Govs. Sarah Palin (Alaka), Rick Perry (Tex.), Charlie Crist (Fla.) and Mark Sanford (S.C.) are all expected to host fundraisers for McDonnell, GOP sources said.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor, told his staff in an email today that he was resigning to campaign full-time as of Feb. 20.

"To ensure that Virginia's citizens have the full time Attorney General they deserve I am, in keeping with Virginia political tradition, resigning as Attorney General,'' McDonnell wrote.

In the email sent at 8 a.m., McDonnell calls serving as attorney general "the highest professional honor of my life."

"This has been a very difficult decision to make because of my love for this office and all of you,'' he wrote.

The Republican Party of Virginia sent out an urgent email alert encouraging supporters to help the GOP win tomorrow's special election for Fairfax County board chairman.

"Tomorrow Republicans can make history and help push back against the pro-Obama Democrats who are attempting to take control of Virginia,'' according to the email. "But we need YOU to take action NOW!"

Republican Supervisor Pat S. Herrity (Springfield) will face Democrat Sharon S. Bulova (Braddock), the vice chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and two independents in tomorrow's election. They are competing to replace Democrat Gerald E. Connolly, who won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in November.

"Virginia Democrats...have been very clear, if they lose this election, it will put a BIG damper on their plans to build on the Obama momentum and take back the Virginia House in next November's elections,'' according to the email.

Virginia Republicans heaped praise on former Maryland lieutenant governor Michael S. Steele after he was elected chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Steele, who is African-American, delivered the headline speech at the Republican Party of Virginia's annual gathering of activists last month.

"Chairman Steele is an among the most articulate spokesman our party has to offer,'' said Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, chairman of the Virginia GOP. "And while we are in desperate need of an outstanding communicator -- which Michael will surely be -- we are in even greater need of a leader who can reach out and bring new people into the Party of Lincoln."

Frederick, along with National Committeeman Morton Blackwell and National Committeewoman Kathy Hayden Terry, voted in the chairman election at the RNC winter meeting.

The House of Delegates passed a bill, 83 to 12, that would ban donations made using untraceable prepaid credit cards that could mask a contributor's identity.

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) said he introduced the bill after learning that then-Sen. Barack Obama (D) allowed donors to use the cards during the presidential campaign last year.

"It's not a looophole,'' Marshall said. "It's a grand cavern of exceptions for anonymous donations."

Twelve Democrats voted against the bill. Republicans are now expected to use the cards as an issue in this November's House elections, trying to paint a picture that Democrats are corrupt and do not mind illegal donations.

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones will endorse former delegate Brian Moran in his campaign for governor, according to several sources.

Jones, a former Democratic legislator and chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, served with Moran in the House of Delegates until Jones was elected mayor in November.

Jesse Ferguson, Moran's spokesman, would not confirm the endorsement.

Jones was expected to appear with Moran tomorrow morning on Capitol Square. But the event was canceled because of a scheduling conflict and bad weather. The event has yet to be rescheduled.

The Democratic National Committee will refund donations collected through an email that then-incoming DNC Chairman Timothy M. Kaine sent on Jan. 16, two days after the start of Virginia's annual legislative session.

DNC officials said they made a mistake by putting a standard "Please Donate" button at the bottom of the email in which Kaine wrote to supporters about the future of the Democratic party.

Under Virginia law, Kaine is prohibited from raising money for himself or state political committees during the 45-day legislative session, which began Jan. 14. That does not necessarily apply to Kaine's email, but DNC officials said they never meant for the email to be a fundraising letter.

The email came to light after Virginia Democrats accused Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, of violating the law by sending out fundraising letters Jan. 9. The letters arrived in some homes last week.

"This is no different than a fundraising email Tim Kaine sent out just a few days prior to session," said Gerry Scimeca, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Virginia. "Claims that Republicans are not following fundraising rules are a lame attempt by the Democrats to cover their own tracks."

Del. Frank D. Hargrove Sr. (R-Hanover) announced today that he will retire this year after 28 years in the House of Delegates.

In recent years, Hargrove, 82, has been best known for changing his stance on the death penalty. Since that, he has introduced a bill that would end capital punishment but it has failed each year.

Hargrove made national headlines two years ago when he said that the issue of slavery was settled by the Civil War and that "our black citizens should get over it."

Days after Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) abruptly canceled a reception at the governors mansion, House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith has introduced a bill that would prohibit fundraising at the house.

House Bill 2657 simply says "Any event at the Executive Mansion for the purpose of soliciting funds for any purpose, other than for charity, shall be prohibited at all times."

Griffith (R-Salem) said last week that he got a "creepy feeling" when he learned of a planned reception at the mansion.

Charlie Kelly, Kaine's political director, said Kaine and his staff did not realize the event was a fundraiser, and canceled it immediately when he found out.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor, will resign in the coming weeks to campaign full-time, according to sources close to McDonnell.

The news is not surprising. In recent years, attorneys general of both parties have resigned during the annual legislative session to run for governor.

If McDonnell leaves during the session, the House and Senate, controlled by two different parties, will appoint a replacement. But if he waits until later, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) picks a successor.

Last week, McDonnell raised some eyebrows when he was seen chatting up legislators at the General Assembly Building, along with chief deputy attorney general William C. Mims. Mims, a former Republican legislator from Loudoun County, is expected to be the top choice to replace McDonnell.

"I wouldn't read anything into that,'' said J. Tucker Martin, McDonnell's spokesman.

Martin said McDonnell and Mims were discussing McDonnell's legislative priorities with lawmak