Democrat Terry McAuliffe launches bid to return as Virginia governor

Former governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe will join the crowded Democratic primary to make a bid for his old job.

The 63-year-old McAuliffe is a former leader of the Democrat National Committee and is considered a prolific fundraiser for the party. He has also been a longtime political adviser to President Bill Clinton and wife Hillary Clinton – a former U.S. senator, secretary of state and presidential candidate.

McAuliffe, the state's governor from 2014 to 2018, will formally launch his campaign in Richmond. He will reportedly surround himself by several senior elected officials, all of whom are black – a nod to the inroads and relationships he formed with black politicians and the community during his time in office. McAuliffe will be vying against three primary opponents who are black.

McAuliffe will focus his campaign around efforts to bolster the Virginia economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. He also plans to pledge the state's largest investment into public education. 

Other Democrats competing for the party's nomination include Jennifer McClellan, a state senator, Jennifer Carroll Foy, a former member of the House of Delegates, and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax.

Republicans in the race include Kirk Cox, a former speaker of the House of Delegates, and Amanda Chase, a state senator who recently declared that she would run an independent, rather than seek the Republican Party's nomination.

Virginia law prevents the governor – currently Democrat Ralph Northam – from seeking a second consecutive term. McAuliffe would be only the second governor in more than 150 years to serve Virginia twice.

The Virginia gubernatorial primary will take place in June.