RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, in accordance with the state's political tradition, will resign his office to run for governor in 2005.
The Washington Post said Tuesday Kilgore, a Republican, would leave his post on Feb. 1.
Kilgore's resignation during the 2005 legislative session clears the way for the Virginia General Assembly to appoint his replacement. Senior Republican lawmakers said Kilgore deputy Judith W. Jagdmann is the leading candidate to replace him.
By leaving office early, Kilgore is following in the footsteps of previous attorneys-general-cum-gubernatorial candidates, including Republicans Jim Gilmore and Mark Early and Democrat Mary Sue Terry, who was defeated in 1993 by Republican George Allen.
Kilgore's departure frees him to continue raising money for what political observers say will be an expensive campaign. State law prohibits officeholders from raising money while the General Assembly is in session.
Kilgore's likely Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, will have to wait until the legislature adjourns at the end of February to start raising money.
