McDonnell, 54, a Republican elected attorney general by just 360 votes in 2005, recently resigned to run full time for governor.

Lifelong resident running in Jefferson District

Political briefs

Gubernatorial candidate talks energy during stop in town

Cantor: Va. does not want Al-Qaeda suspects

A bill to expand the death penalty to those who assist in a murder but don’t do the actual killing is on its way to Gov. Timothy Kaine.

As the General Assembly heads into the homestretch before Saturday’s scheduled adjournment, the state budget is the dominant issue, but other noteworthy bills remain unresolved.

A ban on smoking in most restaurants in Virginia is one step away from going to the governor’s desk and becoming law.

From Darrell Hammond’s winking Bill Clinton to Dana Carvey’s snickering George W. Bush, “Saturday Night Live” has a long tradition of parodying the nation’s top politicians. Add Republican Eric Cantor to that list.

A overall crisis of confidence is the key factor in the economic issues facing the U.S., Republican congressman Eric Cantor said Tuesday afternoon.

Congressman Eric Cantor R-7th District enjoyed Andy Samberg’s portrayal of Cantor on Saturday Night Live during a visit to Culpeper

VIDEO: Congressman Eric Cantor R-7th District reacts to stimulus package during a visit to Culpeper Tuesday

Congressman receiving national attention as well

Congressman Eric Cantor, R-Richmond, says the pending economic stimulus bill contains too much spending and not enough job creation and protection.

YouTube video parodies union that labeled congressman ‘obstructionist’

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today joined President Barack Obama at a construction site in Springfield to make the case for a quick action on the economic stimulus package.

House Republicans yesterday pushed through a weakened version of a statewide ban on restaurant smoking that Howell fashioned with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

Gov. Tim Kaine called Virginia’s members of Congress to Richmond to discuss the state’s federal stimulus package needs, but all five Republicans were absent.

The Senate has passed a bill to allow officers to pull over and ticket teen drivers for talking on a cell phone.

Those convicted of littering in Virginia could be required to complete 10 hours of community service if a bill passed by the Senate becomes law.

House GOP whip on trip to Middle East, Central Asia

He’ll be second gubernatorial candidate to visit town in less than a month

The Senate has voted again to kill a bill requiring background checks of most buyers at gun shows.

A bill that would subject people not wearing seat belts to a traffic ticket sailed through the Senate.

Cantor urges state’s GOP contingent not to support bill

Supporters of stricter indoor-smoking laws and higher cigarette taxes in Virginia turned out yesterday to lobby state lawmakers.

President Barack Obama is ready to trumpet Hillary Rodham Clinton’s installation as secretary of state while turning to veteran politician and dealmaker George Mitchell to guide the new administration through the Mideast thicket.

County Democratic chairwoman to attend environmental inaugural ball

Republicans say they’ve got ideas too

Fourteen projects could be affec