Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling are on the same page when it comes to who should be Henrico County's next commonwealth's attorney, but not so much on the gubernatorial race in 2013.
After both endorsed outgoing Del. Bill Janis, R-Henrico, on Friday in his run as an independent for Henrico's top prosecutor, Bolling and Cuccinelli sent mixed messages on the prospect of facing off for the GOP nod in 2013.
Boarding an elevator at the General Assembly Building, Cuccinelli was asked if he might challenge Bolling for the nomination.
"There's a chance," he replied.
Moments later, Bolling was asked if he thought Cuccinelli would run against him.
"I do not," he said. "I think Ken has said both publicly and privately that his intention is to run for re-election to the office of attorney general, and we look forward to running with him as a team. I think we'll be a strong team."
Of potentially running instead in 2014 for the U.S. Senate seat held by Mark R. Warner, D-Va., Cuccinelli said it was too early to say.
"There are other factors involved there and those are out of my control, so we'll see how things develop," he said.
When someone on the elevator joked that there was still room in the presidential field for another candidate, Cuccinelli's eyes widened.
"I'm crazy, but I'm not that crazy," he said.
Cuccinelli, who has already fielded calls from a few presidential hopefuls seeking support, said he has yet to make up his mind on whom to support.
"I'm in the 'keep my powder dry' caucus to let it develop a little bit before I jump in," he said, adding that "certainly, those who've had executive office have a certain advantage in seeking an executive office, but I'm pretty happy with the field."
Gov. Bob McDonnell has said he would prefer a current or former governor as the GOP nominee.
Bolling has endorsed former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, and will serve as his Virginia campaign director.
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