(CNN) With news that former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie is preparing a run for Virginia governor in 2017, former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli tells CNN he has not ruled out a run himself.

Cuccinelli, who narrowly lost a race for governor to Terry McAuliffe in 2013, said he and his family are just beginning the decision-making process.

"Look, this is a race that (my wife) Teiro and I have only just begun to think about," Cuccinelli said. "We are in no hurry about how we are going to react to the news that is developing there."

The focus on 2017 has increased after Gillespie and his team confirmed steps he's taking to run for the governor's mansion Friday.

"Ed is focused on the 2015 and 2016 elections," said Gillespie adviser Tucker Martin. "But at the same time, he will be begin laying the foundation for a run for governor in 2017."

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