Virginia Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell announced this morning that he's quitting as attorney general and will step down Feb. 20.
The putative Republican nominee for governor is expected to join a Richmond law firm, though he won't say which one.
There is speculation that McDonnell could join McGuireWoods or another powerhouse, Troutman Sanders.
In stepping down to run for governor, McDonnell preserves a tradition going back to J. Lindsay Almond, who resigned as the state's top lawyer to run for governor during the segregation struggle of the late 1950s.
In a statement, McDonnell said Virginians are entitled to a full-time attorney general.
"It is the right and proper thing to do," he said.
Because McDonnell is leaving while the General Assembly is in session, it falls to legislators to choose his successor.
That will likely be his chief deputy, William Mims, a former delegate and senator from Loudoun County.
"Everyone assumes it will be Bill Mims and the governor has a high regard for Bill Mims," said Gordon Hickey, a spokesman for Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.
Earlier, McDonnell's announced his coming departure in an e-mail to his staff.
"I have every confidence that our terrific chief deputy, Bill Mims, will be appointed to serve as the next Attorney General of Virginia," McDonnell wrote.
McDonnell, who at this stage faces no major opposition for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, said his three-plus years serving as attorney general have been "the highest professional honor of my life. Together we have accomplished much and have provided excellent legal services to the citizens and government of Virginia."
-- Jeff E. Schapiro, Frank Green and Joe Macenka
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