Terry McAuliffe to Run for Governor of Virginia McAuliffe — a veteran political adviser and former chair of the Democratic National Committee — has long been mulling a run for governor, but said he would only enter the race if Senator Mark Warner decided not to run. McAuliffe's decision, however, doesn't necessarily mean that Warner won't run. If fact, since Election Day, rumors have only heightened about Warner — a former Virginia governor and current U.S. senator — entering the race.