By Tim Craig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 4, 2008; B02

RICHMOND, Jan. 3 -- Del. Brian J. Moran will launch a committee today to explore a Democratic campaign for governor in 2009, his advisers said Thursday.

Moran, a former prosecutor who has represented Alexandria in the House of Delegates since 1996, is not expected to make a final decision on a gubernatorial bid until the General Assembly session ends in March.

He is forming a political action committee, however, to start preparing for a possible matchup against state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (Bath) for the Democratic nomination.

Last month, Deeds became the first candidate from either party to formally enter the race to succeed Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), who is barred by law from seeking consecutive terms. Establishing a PAC would help Moran keep pace with Deeds in organizing supporters.

"It is an avenue for us to lay the groundwork should Brian decide to run," said Mame Reiley, who will be the director of Moran's PAC, Virginians for Brian Moran. "He is going to concentrate on the General Assembly and the work he needs to do this session, but that doesn't mean some of us can't be working like busy bees for an effort to run in 2009."

Moran was out of town Thursday and unavailable for comment.

He is chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and took a leading role last year in helping Democrats pick up four seats in the Republican-controlled House. Moran, 48, brother of U.S. Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), has a base in Northern Virginia but has spent years wooing party activists downstate.

Democrats are seeking to retain an office they have held since Mark R. Warner captured the governorship in 2001.

Two veteran Democratic strategists with close ties to Warner are heading up Moran's exploratory campaign. Reiley was director of Warner's PAC when he was considering a run for president. Steve Jarding, who helped orchestrate Warner's 2001 victory, will be Moran's general consultant. Last year, Jarding advised Democrat James Webb in his victorious run for U.S. Senate.

"Jarding brings something unique to the equation," Reiley said. "He is a specialist in rural politics, and he is the person who has spearheaded two of the last three successful [Democratic] statewide campaigns."

Deeds is expected to argue that he is the candidate who can best continue the legacy of Kaine and Warner.

In 2005, Deeds showed surprising strength for a rural Democrat when he lost his bid for attorney general by 360 votes.

"Virginia seems very happy with the direction the state is going," said Peter Jackson, a spokesman for Deeds. "They are going to want a Democratic nominee for governor who not only pledges to continue that direction but also a record of bringing people together to deliver real results."

Lewis Franklin "L.F." Payne Jr., a former congressman who was an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor in 1997, also is considering a run for the Democratic nomination for governor.

On the Republican side, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell; George Allen, a former governor and U.S. senator; and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling have been mentioned as potential candidates.