RICHMOND, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has announced he’s dropping out of the Democrats’ nomination race for Governor, and instead is running next year for Lt. Governor. In a Tuesday morning statement, Stoney writes, “After careful consideration with my family, I believe that the best way to ensure that all Virginia families do get the change they deserve is for our party to come together, avoid a costly and damaging primary and, for me to run instead for Lieutenant Governor.”

Also this morning, newly elected state Senator — and former Va. Tech football player — Aaron Rouse has announced he’s running for Lt. Governor. The race for the number-2 seat is getting crowded as the two join UVa Health Board Chair Babur Lateef, who announced earlier this year intention to seek the Democrats’ nomination.