The election for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general isn’t until November 2009.But in the past two weeks, two Republicans have made their campaign plans official. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling announced he would back away from plans to run for governor, and instead run for re-election. And Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, R-Fairfax, declared for attorney general.

It may seem early to announce plans for an election in 2009. But for Republicans, who have lost the last two gubernatorial races, a U.S. Senate race and control of the state Senate, lining up their roster early could be a benefit.

Although other candidates could still come forward for all three races, and are likely to do so for the attorney general race, Bolling’s decision leaves Attorney General Bob McDonnell the only Republican currently planning a run for governor. (McDonnell won’t officially announce his intentions until later this year.) The strategy already has discouraged some from challenging Bolling.

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