Ari Ashe, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – There’s a potential shakeup in next year’s race for governor in Virginia.
CNN’s Peter Hamby reports sources tell him Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling will drop his bid to replace Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Jonathan Martin of Politico also reports Bolling will drop out on Wednesday, citing two Virginia Republicans.
Such a move would clear the path for Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to win the Republican nomination.
If Cuccinelli won, he could face Terry McAuliffe next November.
McAuliffe lost a Democratic primary to R. Creigh Deeds in 2009.
Bolling was dealt a serious blow earlier this year when Virginia Republicans decided to change the 2013 nomination from a primary to a convention, which was seen to favor Cuccinelli.
Back in 2008, Bolling and McDonnell struck a deal to run a unified GOP ticket in exchange for McDonnell supporting Bolling in 2013.
However, McDonnell didn’t have a chance to do so.
He planned to attend two fundraising dinners in December to help support the Bolling campaign.
Under Virginia law, a governor cannot serve two consecutive terms.
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