The Virginia gubernatorial race heated up Friday as Delegate Brian J. Moran resigned from his state House seat and leadership post to devote his full attention to a run for governor.
“While the decisions made in the coming 45-day General Assembly session are important, the leadership of Virginia for the next four years is even more critical,” Mr. Moran said in a letter to his constituents. “I believe that the best thing I can do for the people of Alexandria, Fairfax and the entire state is to win this campaign for governor.”
Mr. Moran has served in the House since 1996 and has been the chamber’s Democratic caucus chairman for seven years.
He is one of three likely candidates in what is expected to be a hard-fought race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination: state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County also is running, while former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe is exploring a bid.
Mr. Moran sent his letter of resignation, effective immediately, to Gov. Tim Kaine on Friday. Mr. Kaine, a Democrat, set a special election for Jan. 13 to fill Mr. Moran’s seat before the legislative session’s commencement Jan. 14 in Richmond.
The deadline for candidates to file to run for Mr. Moran’s seat, which includes part of Alexandria and part of Fairfax County, is Wednesday.
“Holding the special election on Jan. 13 will ensure that the needs and interests of these residents are represented in the legislative process,” Mr. Kaine said.
Mr. Moran, 49, said he will be campaigning full-time across Virginia, “sharing my vision for our future.”
“You deserve the full attention of your representative in the legislative work this coming year,” he said in his letter to constituents.
With Mr. McAuliffe’s potential entry, the Democratic contest is likely to turn into a high-stakes, high-fundraising race: the former party chairman headed Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign and has a national profile compared to Mr. Deeds and Mr. Moran, who have represented regional districts.
Deeds spokesman Peter Jackson said his candidate plans to remain in the Senate.
“Senator Deeds will continue fighting for Virginia’s working families — creating 21st-century jobs and working with Governor Kaine to restore the state’s financial health — both as a candidate for governor and during this winter’s legislative session,” Mr. Jackson said.
Democrats will hold a primary in June to decide on a nominee. Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell is the lone Republican in the gubernatorial race.
There are now three vacant House seats following Mr. Moran’s departure: Terrie L. Suit, Virginia Beach Republican, left to take a position with a lobbying firm, and Dwight C. Jones, Richmond Democrat, was elected Richmond’s mayor last month.
Mr. Kaine has set a Jan. 6 special election to fill those seats.
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