VA Lt. Gov. Bolling Keeps Door Open on Write-in Candidacy

On Friday, Republican Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling did not rule out the possibility of waging a write-in campaign for governor against Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli. 

Bolling withdrew from the governor’s race last year when he realized he could not beat current Republican gubernatorial nominee and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. He then floated the possibility of running as an independent before announcing he would not do so in March.  

But in the wake of the ethics charges against Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell that have spawned resignation rumors, Virginians have wondered if the ambitious Lieutenant Governor may again attempt a run. 

As the Virginia-Pilot notes, “one scenario envisions Bolling filling in for McDonnell as interim governor and then deciding to wage a write-in effort because it’s too late to qualify for the November ballot,” while another involves Bolling replacing the Libertarian Party’s nominee on the November ballot. 

Bolling spokeswoman Ibbie Hedrick’s response to whether Bolling would attempt a write-in candidacy was hardly Sherman-esque. Hedrick told the Pilot that Bolling, “like a lot of Virginians, is concerned by the current rhetoric and direction of the campaign, and everywhere he goes he hears from people who wish he had chosen to enter the race and give them another choice.”

“We’ll never know what might have happened if he had decided to run, but all things considered, he continues to believe that he made the right decision,” Hedrick added.

Hedrick said:

Bill has challenged both candidates to run campaigns that are worthy of Virginia. Frankly, he’d like to see them talk more about why they are the best person to lead Virginia into the future, rather than spending all their time attacking their opponent. 

“In the weeks to come, we will be doing more through the Virginia Mainstream Project to try and refocus the public debate on the big issues facing Virginia. That’s the role I see Bill playing in the short term.”