Professor Kaine

Outgoing Gov. Tim Kaine (D) will rejoin the faculty at the University of Richmond when he leaves office.

Kaine and the university made the announcement at a news conference Thursday, two days after Republican Bob McDonnell was elected to succeed the Democrat.

The governor will teach two classes next year, starting with a spring semester course called “Leadership Breakthroughs.” His fall semester course at the university’s law school has yet to be determined.

Kaine taught legal ethics at U of R from 1987-1993.

He’ll live in Richmond and still plans to work full-time as Democratic National Committee chairman.

Cuccinelli Announces Transition Team

Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli (R) has tapped two men who once held that post to help lead his transition effort.

Richard Cohen, who was appointed to fill out the remainder of Jim Gilmore’s term when he resigned to run for governor in 1997, and Andy Miller who held the office between 1970 and 1977, will help Cuccinelli move into the role.

Richmond attorneys Pat McSweeney and Bernie McNamee will also be a part of the transition team.

In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Cuccinelli said his first priorities are to hire staff and prepare his priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

Cuccinelli has already consulted with former attorney general and current Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell and with Bill Mims, who McDonnell appointed to the office earlier this year when McDonnell resigned to run for governor.

McDonnell Looks Ahead

Governor-elect Bob McDonnell (R) said his focus during the next two months will be keeping his campaign promises.

“I intend to hold myself accountable for everything I said I was going to do,” McDonnell said during his first post-election press conference.

He said there will be room for people of all political backgrounds in his cabinet.

“I want to bring people into this administration that are focused really on one thing and that is getting results for the citizens of Virginia.”

The governor-elect also announced the beginnings of his transition team.

Campaign manager Phil Cox will lead the turnover. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), Attorney General Bill Mims (R) and Dominion CEO Tom Farrell — a childhood friend — will also be on board.

Longtime McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin will lead the transition’s communications effort.

McDonnell said there will be more staffing and policy announcements in the coming weeks — including what the new GOP team will pursue during its first legislative session.

This weekend, the governor-elect and his family will take some time off, traveling north to attend the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game.

Kaine Talks Transitions, Turnover in Richmond

 Gov. Tim Kaine (D) has pledged a smooth transition from his administration to that of governor-elect Bob McDonnell (R).

Kaine, who worked hard to defeat McDonnell, said the two men had a productive telephone conversation Wednesday morning.

“It’s important to get this transition right because of the challenging times and I think we’ll definitely set a standard about how to do that,” the governor told reporters at a news conference.

Kaine — who serves as chairman of the Democratic National Committee — also spent time talking about the impact this election will have on his party.

“We’ve turned the state into a very competitive state,” Kaine said. “I don’t think either party can any longer take Virginia for granted.”

The now-lame duck governor wouldn’t definitively rule out another run for office, but said he’s likely run his last race.

After January’s inauguration, Kaine and his family plan to move back to their Richmond home, where they will live while Kaine flies across the country as a full-time DNC chairman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House Hunting

Virginia Republicans went House hunting Tuesday.

The GOP widened its lead over Democrats in the House of Delegates, thanks in part to strong up-ticket momentum.

Seven seats flipped from Democrat to Republican. Two seats flipped Republican to Democrat, meaning the GOP picked up a net gain of five seats.

One race — the Virginia Beach contest between Del. Bobby Mathieson (D) and challenger Ron Villanueva (R) — is still too close to call and seems poised for a recount.