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Deeds seeks governor's seat in '09
BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER
 | | Sen. Creigh Deeds |
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WARM SPRINGS - With a few clicks of a mouse, Creigh Deeds, the state senator from "the middle of nowhere," announced his campaign for the Democratic nomination to run for governor in 2009.
Deeds is the only announced candidate for governor in an election that is nearly two years away. His early announcement is unusual; his method of announcing has become more mainstream in these days of multimedia and high-speed Internet access.
Instead of making a speech on the courthouse steps, Deeds posted a video on a new campaign Web site and uploaded the video to the four top social networking sites on the Internet. Then he emailed links around the state. In addition, Deeds has a detailed biographical page on Wikipedia, the free online community maintained encyclopedia.
All of this technology might seem out of character for the state senator from Bath County. Deeds said Wednesday some people have criticized him for being from the "middle of nowhere." On the contrary, Deeds said, "I'm from the middle of everywhere."
Deeds' aspirations for the governor's mansion have been known for a number of years. However, he admits the timing of his announcement "caught a few people by surprise."
The early start gives Deeds extra time to build name recognition and present his position around the state. It also gives his opponents more time to attack him. "I've been a target before," Deeds said about being out early in the race.
In 2005, Deeds lost his bid for the state Attorney General's office by the closest margin ever in a state election - 323 votes or 0.0001615 percent. That office was intended to be a stepping-stone to governor.
"Losing that election hurt," Deeds admits. While the loss was an emotional setback, Deeds said it was like any other challenge in life to work through and get beyond.
"I'm convinced I have the right vision to keep Virginia moving forward," Deeds said. His campaign video ties his race to the legacy of current Gov. Tim Kaine and former Gov. Mark Warner.
The governor's race will be only one of many things on Deeds' plate in the coming months. As state senator for the 25th district, he joins his fellow senators in Richmond in January to begin a tough session with the state facing a large deficit.
In addition to the many items such as funding for roads and balancing the budget, Deeds plans to make another go at passing redistricting reform. Last year the senate passed a bill co-sponsored by Deeds. This year he hopes to get a bill through the Senate and the House of Delegates.
With the House still in Republican hands and the Democrats taking back the majority in the Senate, Deeds hopes both parties will see redistricting "is everybody's interest." Everyone should see how much sense it makes, he said.
Deeds' current senate district stretches for more than 100 miles, from the West Virginia border in Bath County to east of Charlottesville in Albemarle County. With the Senate in Democratic control and Deeds gaining seniority, he notes under current law all he would have to do is wait until after the next census and draw a new district any way that suited him.
The current system isn't right, said Deeds, "The people should come first." This isn't a new battle for Deeds but last session was the first time he gained broader support for his ideas. Success this year could leave a lasting mark on Virginia politics.
This stage of the campaign is about name recognition and raising money, Deeds said. The hi-tech announcement via email and Web-based video is a way to reach a lot of people, he noted. Currently he is staffing offices around the state and his campaign web site, www.deedsforvirginia.com, has links for donating and for signing up to volunteer with the campaign.
Deeds was born in Richmond, but his family moved back to Bath, where it has deep roots. In 1987, Deeds was elected commonwealth's attorney in Bath, three years after he finished law school.
In 1991, Deeds was elected as a Democrat to the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 18th district. He served in the house until 2001 when he won a special election to fill the 25th district senate seat after the death of popular Sen. Emily Couric. He was re-elected in 2003 and 2007.
Deeds maintains offices in Hot Springs and Charlottesville and works for Richmond law firm Framme Law Firm, PC.
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