'Always Underestimated, Never Outworked'

Born to a rural Virginia family with deep political roots, Creigh Deeds finds himself the underdog in the Virginia governor's race -- a position he has excelled in since the start of his political career.

Gubernatorial candidate and State Sen. Creigh Deeds is the lone native Virginian in the race. He was born in Richmond, but at seven his parents divorced and his mother took him to Bath County, where he has spent most of his life.

Deeds Family Photo

In Bath County, Deeds grew up hunting, mending fences and slaughtering hogs on a farm that had been in his mother's family for more than 150 years.

Deeds Family Photo

Deeds spent 16 days in a coma when he was 12 years old after a runaway truck slammed into a concession stand during a Bath High School football game. Though friends and family worried the accident would cause permanent harm, "he set out to prove them wrong," Deeds's half-brother said.

Deeds Family Photo

Deeds met his future wife, Pam, while running for student body president at Concord College.

Deeds Family Photo

During his time on the campaign trail this year, some have questioned whether his unpolished, sometimes awkward delivery can carry him to the governor's mansion -- or whether, considering some of the conservative stances he's taken as rural state senator, Democrats should even want him to win.

Deeds Family Photo

Deeds's earliest races -- for Bath County Commonwealth's Attorney and state delegate -- saw him win as a Democrat in increasingly red Southern Virginia. "He would park the car or truck and walk a mile or so to each house and present himself. ... He made a name of himself doing that," a former high school teacher said.

Deeds Family Photo

Creigh Deeds, seen here greeting Democratic volunteers as they make their calls for his Attorney General campaign in 2005, came within 325 votes of upsetting Republican Robert McDonnell, despite being outspent three-to-one.

Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, from left, then-Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Webb, Democratic Virginia State Sen. Creigh Deeds, and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine listen to Technical Director John Taylor at the Lincoln Theater after a campaign rally November 4, 2006 in Marion, Va. Though a legislative leader, Deeds has been considered unlikely to succeed Warner and Kaine.

Alex Wong-Getty Images

In the Democratic primary for Virginia gubernatorial race, Deeds once again finds himself significantly outspent and with notable ideological differences with target voters. It's a position he's become comfortable in. ???I've been running uphill all my life,??? Deeds said.

Steve Helber-AP

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This Story Deeds: From Patching Fence to Straddling It Article \| Creigh Deeds was stammering, as is often his way when trying to explain a change in one of his political positions. He indicated that he felt conflicted over a stance, not the first time during his campaign for Virginia governor. "I'm not certain I would do that again," he said. The Race to Richmond R. Creigh Deeds: Underdog Has History of Beating the Odds 'Always Underestimated, Never Outworked' Donations to Deed's Governor Campaign : Race to Richmond Special Report: Race to Richmond		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace del.icio.us NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this gallery		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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