As the presidential election fades into the past, Virginia politics is already focused squarely on the 2005 elections, and the wealth of legislative and executive positions up for grabs.
In the highest-profile race, Democratic Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine and Republican Attorney General Jerry Kilgore will compete to succeed Gov. Mark R. Warner, who will step down because of Virginia's one-term limit on governors.
Although neither Kilgore nor Kaine has been officially nominated, neither candidate faces a serious primary challenge, and each has raised more than $3 million in campaign donations so far.
Both candidates face a relatively clear overall strategy for victory, according to Politics Prof. Larry J. Sabato.
Sabato said Kaine will try to convince voters to connect him with Warner, who enjoys high approval ratings.
"Kaine is simply running for Mark Warner's second term," Sabato said.
Kilgore, on the other hand, will appeal to Virginia's conservative electorate, one that voted for President Bush by a nine-point margin this year.
"There is a natural Republican majority -- it doesn't always manifest itself, but it's there," Sabato said.
With nearly a year to go before the election, both campaigns mentioned broad issues of importance while promoting their candidate's background and achievements in office.
Kilgore spokesperson Carrie Cantrell said Kilgore reflects the values of a majority of Virginians.
"We have an incredible individual, who has a great passion for improving the lives of all Virginians," Cantrell said. "He has a common sense, conservative philosophy of trusting people rather than government."
Virginia Democratic Party spokesperson Laura Bland highlighted Kaine's history of service activities, such as a year spent as a missionary in Honduras.
"He's a family man," Bland said. "He is someone who has a profound faith and who has acted on his faith throughout his life."
Bland, Cantrell and Sabato mentioned a wide variety of issues that could form the focus of the election, from general issues of education and transportation to the measures each candidate has dealt with while in office.
The races to replace Kaine and Kilgore's current positions are nowhere near as settled. Currently, Del. Viola Baskerville, D-Richmond, former Sen. Leslie Byrne, Del. Chap Peterson, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Philip Puckett, D-Tazewell, are all vying to be the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, while Republican candidates include Sen. Bill Bolling, R-Hanover, Del. Joe May, R-Loudoun, and Sean Connaughton, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.
Del. Bob McDonnell, R-Virginia Beach, and attorney Steve Baril will compete for the Republican nomination for attorney general, while Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, will face off against local Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Albemarle.
Additionally, the entire House of Delegates, the lower house of the General Assembly, faces re-election. The Republicans wield a 61-37 advantage in the House, with two independents. The state Senate is up for re-election in 2007.
Primary elections for every position from governor through delegate will be held in June.
Although the campaigns currently are focused on fundraising and outreach to party activists, Sabato said the races would heat up soon.
"It will turn into a sprint as soon as the General Assembly adjourns in March," Sabato said.
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