McDonnell resigns to run

Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell is packing it in as of Feb. 20 to hit the campaign trail full time.

 

The move isn't surprising. Attorney General Jerry Kilgore did the same thing in 2005. Reactions are coming in from all quarters:

From House Speaker Bill Howell:

"Bob McDonnell is a strong, principled leader with common sense ideas and practical solutions to problems that people care about as well as an impressive track record of bipartisan legislative success that has helped make Virginia better, safer and more prosperous," said Speaker Howell.

"I was pleased to serve with Bob in the House of Delegates for many years and to work closely with him the past four as Attorney General. Name almost any major issue -- crime, education, welfare, strengthening families, transportation or jobs and economic growth -- that Virginians have grappled with over the past 15 years and Bob McDonnell was there, leading with conviction, championing policy innovations and demonstrating a genuine willingness to work collaboratively for the future of Virginia."

From Democratic Candidate Terry McAuliffe:

"I welcome Bob McDonnell to the governor's race. Virginia is in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and our working families are struggling to make ends meet."

"There is no single issue facing our commonwealth today that is more important than getting our economy back on track, and I believe the race for governor will be about who has the right experience to grow our economy. I look forward to comparing records and debating the issues with Bob."