Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said Cuccinelli’s decision represents an opportunity for Gillespie and Wittman. Others toying with a run include Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, and Shak Hill, who unsuccessfully ran against Gillespie for Senate last year.
“It spares the party what would have been a nasty fight between two different visions of where the party should go,” Farnsworth said.
