When two prominent Charlottesville politicians opted out of Virginia's lieutenant governor race, the decision threw state party leaders for a loop.
The two politicians expected to run, State Sen. Emily Couric (D-Charlottesville) and Del. Paul Harris (R-Albemarle), announced this summer they would not vie for the state's second-in-command post. Couric chose not to run after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and Harris declined citing personal reasons.
But now, after the two turned down a possible primary run, a bevy of potential candidates has cropped up.
On the Democratic side, Steve Vaughan, communications coordinator for the Democratic Party, said the party is disappointed to lose such a charismatic candidate as Couric but is pleased with the present candidates.
Jerrauld Jones, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, Alan Diamonstein, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, and Richmond Mayor Tim Kaine are among the candidates who officially have announced their intentions to run for the Democratic nomination, Vaughan said.
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Kate Hanley, chairman of the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County, and Jim Dyke, former Secretary of Education under Gov. Douglas Wilder, also may announce their candidacies at a later date, he said.
"Couric's tragic withdrawal has produced a free-for-all," said Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor. "It is a great opportunity, which is why so many people have jumped into it."
Harris, a prime Republican choice for the lieutenant governorship, announced his decision to stay out of the race at the Albemarle County Republicans breakfast this past weekend.
"It is a strictly personal decision based on his responsibility as a husband and a father," Harris' legislative assistant Jo Viglion said.
The Republican Party was disappointed with Harris' decision but "this was tempered by the fact that he some day will run," said Ed Matricardi, executive director of the Republican Party in Virginia.
State Sen. Randy Forbes and Del. Jay Katzen and Jeanne Marie Devolites all have announced their official candidacy for the Republican nomination.
Both the Republican and Democratic Party primaries for lieutenant governor almost always are mapped out, which makes this year's race highly unusual, Sabato said.
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