WASHINGTON -- Tom Perriello is reportedly considering a bid for Virginia's governor's seat in 2013, according to sources close to the former Democratic congressman.
The news was first tweeted on Tuesday night by Ben Tribbett, a prominent Virginia Democratic blogger, who said Perriello "hasn't totally ruled out a run for Governor in 2013."
Sources close to Perriello confirmed to The Huffington Post that he is considering a gubernatorial bid.
Perriello served one term in Virginia's 5th congressional district, beating then-incumbent Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) in a long-shot bid by just 727 votes. On the campaign and in Congress, he was a favorite of the progressive community.
In 2010, Perriello lost to Republican Robert Hurt. The Democratic congressman faced a wave of negative ads from groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Americans for Prosperity. During the race, Perriello played down partisan differences, defining the race as being between the corporate establishment versus the people -- a theme that was widely used during the 2012 elections as well.
Currently, Perriello leads the Washington, D.C.-based Center for American Progress Action Fund, the advocacy arm of the progressive think tank that is close to the administration. He also campaigned with President Barack Obama during the 2012 election.
Perriello did not immediately return a request for comment.
Terry McAuliffe has already announced that he will be running for governor next year. The former Democratic National Committee chair ran unsuccessfully in 2009, losing in the primary. Popular former governor Mark Warner recently said he will not be running again.
On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli were embroiled in a battle for their party's nomination, but on Wednesday morning, Bolling announced that he was dropping out.
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