National

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced on Wednesday he will be running for a second term as governor in 2021. 

Why it matters: McAuliffe — an effective fundraiser, popular figure in Virginia politics and close ally of President-elect Joe Biden — will immediately be the favorite to take back his old job.

The state of play: The gubernatorial primary will field a diverse set of Democratic candidates, which has prompted a number of liberal groups to oppose McAuliffe's candidacy.

Candidates include two Black women serving in the state legislature — Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy and Sen. Jennifer McClellan — and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who is also Black.

Virginia law prohibits a sitting governor from running for re-election, but former governors are able to run once someone else has held the job. McAuliffe served as governor from 2014 to 2018.

Go deeper: More details on McAuliffe's planned run

Terry McAuliffe announces another run for Virginia governor

The former governor will be seen as the immediate frontrunner.

Terry McAuliffe. Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images

Politics

Terry McAuliffe

Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced on Wednesday he will be running for a second term as governor in 2021. Why it matters: McAuliffe — an effective fundraiser, popular figure in Virginia politics and close ally of President-elect Joe Biden — will immediately be the favorite to take back his old job.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.