Once touted as a possible presidential candidate, McDonnell’s final year in Richmond was sullied by scandal. A series of stories in the Washington Post revealed that McDonnell and his wife had accepted a series of gifts and loans from a Virginia donor, raising questions about the propriety of the relationship. The issue cast a pall over the losing gubernatorial campaign of Republican attorney general Ken Cuccinelli. McDonnell, who is term-limited, has denied wrongdoing. But according to the Post, he could still face federal charges in connection with the gift scandal.
Biggest Political Winners and Losers of 2013
The politicians with the biggest successes and worst stumbles of the past year
Bob McDonnell, Republican Governor of Virginia
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Biggest Political Winners of 2013