Ex-GOP Lawmakers Backing Democrat

RICHMOND (AP) – Three former Republican state legislators who’ve had differences with the GOP endorsed former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe for governor.

McAuliffe’s campaign on Wednesday announced endorsements of retired Dels. Jim Dillard and Vince Callahan of Fairfax County and Katherine Waddell of Richmond and Vince Callahan of McLean in McAuliffe’s race against Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

Dillard and Waddell were known for differences with the conservative wing of the GOP in their days in the House of Delegates. Waddell later became an independent.

Virginians will elect a new governor in November.

Gov. Bob McDonnell’s bipartisan transportation funding plan last month – a package Cuccinelli opposed because of its tax increases.

Cuccinelli spokeswoman Anna Nix responded that “it isn’t news that former House of Delegates members who demanded we raise taxes and grow the size of state government are supporting a candidate who shares their belief that middle class Virginians need to pay more in taxes.”