Virginia Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will reportedly announce his candidacy for governor of Virginia next week.
Current Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell is not able to seek re-election in 2013 because state law does not allow consecutive gubernatorial terms.
Cuccinelli has become a hero to conservatives and a villain to progressives for his aggressive actions as attorney general.
Elected in 2009, Cuccinelli has sued the Obama administration to overturn the president’s health care reform law, challenged Environmental Protection Agency regulations and ordered state colleges to remove sexual orientation from anti-discrimination policies.
Virginia Republican Lieutenant Gov. Bill Bolling is also running for governor. McDonnell has endorsed Bolling’s candidacy.
The Washington Post broke the news Wednesday evening, citing well-place Republican sources. Cuccinelli declined to comment. According to the Post, he will announce the campaign next week.