McAuliffe's decision not to run comes soon after a series of scandals has weakened Democrats in Virginia during a key election year, when partisan control of the state legislature is up for grabs. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring both admitted in February to having worn blackface as young men, while Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax has been accused by two women of sexual assault, which he denies. Some top Democratic state lawmakers have urged McAuliffe to focus on raising money for Democrats this year and then run for governor in 2021. Virginia bars governors from serving consecutive terms, but McAuliffe could seek a second term after being out of office for four years.