Terry McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe
Born	(1957-02-09) February 9, 1957 Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, politician
Years active	1971–present
Known for	72nd Governor of Virginia (2014–2018)

Terence Richard McAuliffe (born February 9, 1957) is an American entrepreneur and political figure who held the office of Virginia’s 72nd governor from 2014 until 2018. Affiliated with the Democratic Party, he played key roles including co-chairing President Bill Clinton's 1996 reelection campaign, leading the 2000 Democratic National Convention, serving as chairman of the Democratic National Committee between 2001 and 2005, and heading Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential bid.

After an unsuccessful attempt to secure the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 2009 gubernatorial race, McAuliffe ran unopposed in the 2013 Democratic primary and subsequently defeated Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Libertarian Robert Sarvis in the general election. Due to Virginia’s restriction against consecutive terms, he was succeeded by Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam. McAuliffe sought a non-consecutive second term in 2021 but was defeated by Republican Glenn Youngkin.

Throughout his tenure as governor, working with a legislature dominated by Republicans, McAuliffe issued a record-setting number of vetoes. His administration emphasized economic growth and restored voting privileges to more released felons than any previous governor. In reaction to the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, he strongly denounced the event and advocated for the removal of Confederate statues from public areas—a policy continued by his successor.

Early life and education

Terence Richard McAuliffe was born on February 9, 1957, in Syracuse, New York, to parents Mildred Katherine (née Lonergan) and Jack McAuliffe, who worked as a real estate agent and was active in local Democratic politics. The family traces its heritage to Ireland.

He completed his secondary education at Bishop Ludden Junior/Senior High School in 1975, then obtained a bachelor's degree from the Catholic University of America in 1979, where he also served as a resident adviser. At just 22 years old, McAuliffe took on the role of national finance director for President Jimmy Carter's reelection campaign. Following this experience, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1984.

Business career

McAuliffe began his entrepreneurial journey at age 14 by founding McAuliffe Driveway Maintenance, providing sealing services for driveways and parking lots.

In 1985, he co-established Federal City National Bank in Washington, D.C., becoming its youngest chairman three years later at age 30. By 1991, he orchestrated a merger with Credit International Bank and assumed the position of vice-chairman in the combined organization.

In 1988, McAuliffe married Dorothy Swann, whose father Richard Swann was a lawyer involved with Jimmy Carter’s fundraising efforts in Florida. He collaborated with pension funds managed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to acquire $50 million worth of real estate for $38.7 million, maintaining a half ownership stake. In 1996, he purchased American Heritage Homes, a struggling homebuilding company, serving as chairman thereafter. By 1998 it had grown into one of Central Florida’s largest builders, producing over 1,000 houses annually by the following year. KB Home acquired the firm for $74 million in 2002.

McAuliffe invested $100,000 as an angel investor in Global Crossing—a telecommunications firm registered in Bermuda—in 1997; it went public in 1998. He divested most of his shares in 1999 for $8.1 million.

He took on an advisory role at ZeniMax Media starting in 2000.

In 2009, McAuliffe became non-executive chairman of GreenTech Automotive, which purchased Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer EU Auto MyCar for $20 million in 2010. GreenTech moved its headquarters to McLean, Virginia, while production operations were later established in Mississippi. He stepped down from this role in December 2012 to concentrate on his gubernatorial campaign. The company applied for tax incentives through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) but was denied due to incomplete paperwork; during his campaign McAuliffe inaccurately represented this situation. In 2013, both GreenTech and McAuliffe were investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning visa fraud allegations linked to the EB-5 investor visa program.

In 2017, a group of 32 Chinese investors filed a fraud lawsuit against McAuliffe and others related to GreenTech investments connected to promised EB-5 visas that were not granted because job creation requirements were unmet. GreenTech declared bankruptcy in February 2018; McAuliffe was dismissed from the case one month later.

According to The Washington Post, McAuliffe accumulated substantial wealth through ventures as a banker, real estate developer, home builder, hotel proprietor, and internet venture capitalist.

Connection with the Clintons

McAuliffe established a notable fundraising reputation within the Democratic Party, maintaining close ties to both Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. During Clinton's presidency, he and his team amassed a groundbreaking $275 million for Clinton-related initiatives. After Clinton’s term ended, McAuliffe personally backed the Clintons' $1.35 million mortgage on their Chappaqua residence, a transaction that raised ethical questions. In 1999, he led America's Millennium Celebration under Clinton's administration and in 2000 partnered with the Clintons to co-chair a fundraiser for Vice President Al Gore, setting a then-record by raising $26.3 million.

In 1999, McAuliffe told The New York Times, "I've met all of my business contacts through politics. It's all interrelated." He admitted that his business achievements were partially attributable to his association with Bill Clinton and highlighted his connections to former congressmen Dick Gephardt and Tony Coelho, along with an extensive Rolodex containing more than 5,000 contacts. By 2012, this network had expanded to 18,632 individuals. McAuliffe served on the Clinton Foundation board from 2004 until 2013 and returned to it in 2024.

2000 Democratic National Convention

In June 2000, as organizers aimed to raise $7 million for the 2000 Democratic National Convention, chairman Roy Romer stepped down to lead the Los Angeles Unified School District. Following a call from presumptive nominee Al Gore, McAuliffe accepted the position. Fresh from a record-breaking $26 million fundraiser alongside Bill Clinton, he confidently assured that the remaining funds would be secured promptly. His appointment was widely welcomed as a sign of his growing stature; strategist James Carville remarked that McAuliffe’s "stock is trading at an all-time high."

Chair of the Democratic National Committee

Chosen as DNC chairman in February 2001, McAuliffe held the position until 2005. During his tenure, the DNC raised $578 million and cleared its debt for the first time in history. Prior roles included chairing the DNC Business Leadership Forum in 1993 and serving as finance chairman in 1994.

In 2001, McAuliffe launched the Voting Rights Institute, the Hispanic Voter Outreach Project, and the Women's Vote Center to increase electoral participation among key demographic groups. Between 2002 and 2004, he reorganized the Democratic primary schedule to grant earlier voting opportunities to states with significant African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and labor union populations—actions that enhanced Senator John Kerry's fundraising efforts.

McAuliffe also renovated DNC headquarters and introduced "Demzilla," the party’s inaugural National Voter File containing over 175 million records. The DNC hosted six presidential debates in 2004, marking a party first.

Focusing on direct mail campaigns and online contributions, McAuliffe developed a strong small-donor base that eradicated party debt and laid groundwork for future expansion. During the 2003–2004 election cycle, $248 million was raised from contributors donating $25,000 or less.

In January 2005, shortly before stepping down, McAuliffe authorized a $5 million allocation—the largest non-presidential disbursement in DNC history—to support Tim Kaine and other Virginia Democrats. This strategic funding was designed to showcase Democratic viability in Southern states following the 2004 election. Kaine subsequently won and served as Virginia governor from 2006 through 2010.

Post-DNC

McAuliffe took on the role of co-chair for the Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential campaign and served as one of her superdelegates during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

In 2012, he held a position as a visiting fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he delivered lectures and led a program called "The Making of a Candidate: From Running Campaigns to Running on my Own."

2009 gubernatorial campaign

On November 10, 2008, McAuliffe established an exploratory committee aimed at the Virginia gubernatorial election, 2009. He portrayed himself as a business-oriented leader capable of generating employment opportunities in Virginia and underscored his fundraising prowess for Democratic candidates down the ballot. Throughout the campaign, he amassed over $7.5 million in contributions and invested $500,000 of his personal funds.

During the primary, McAuliffe faced off against state senator Creigh Deeds, who was the 2005 Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Virginia, along with former Virginia House of Delegates Minority Leader Brian Moran. On June 9, 2009, McAuliffe finished second, securing 26% of the vote; Deeds won with 50%, while Moran obtained 24%.

2013 election

McAuliffe declared his candidacy for Virginia governor on November 8, 2012, focusing on job growth and fiscal discipline. He secured the Democratic nomination without opposition on April 2, 2013. In the general election, he defeated Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Libertarian Robert Sarvis by capturing 47.8% of the vote, ending a four-decade pattern by becoming the first governor from the sitting president's party elected since 1973.

Tenure

After being sworn in on January 11, 2014, McAuliffe immediately enacted executive orders that prohibited gifts exceeding $100 to administration officials and banned discrimination against state employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He issued a record-setting total of 120 vetoes—surpassing the combined number from his three predecessors—primarily targeting social policies related to abortion, LGBT rights, environmental issues, and voting rights; none of these vetoes were overturned by the legislature.

During his administration, Virginia attracted more than $20 billion in new capital investments—$7 billion higher than previous governors—and he conducted over 35 trade missions spanning five continents to advance tourism and business development within the state. President Obama appointed him to the Council of Governors in 2014. Additionally, McAuliffe chaired the Chesapeake Bay Program executive council and held vice chair and chair positions at the National Governors Association from 2015 to 2017. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization honored him as "Governor of the Year" in 2016.

Throughout his term, unemployment in Virginia declined from 5.7% to 3.3%, while personal income increased by 14.19%; however, analysts observed that these improvements mirrored national economic trends. Governing Magazine named him Public Official of the Year, and StateScoop included him among its State Executives of the Year. Although McAuliffe frequently asserted he inherited a budget deficit, records indicate that his predecessor left balanced budgets prior to economic downturns affecting revenue streams.

McAuliffe consistently enjoyed favorable job approval ratings among Virginia residents but ranked below recent governors Bob McDonnell, Tim Kaine, and Mark Warner in overall popularity.

Healthcare reform

Following the obstruction of his Medicaid expansion proposal by the Republican-led Virginia House of Delegates, McAuliffe launched "A Healthy Virginia," which empowered emergency regulations and an executive order to utilize federal funds from the Affordable Care Act to broaden Medicaid coverage for low-income residents. His ambition to achieve full Medicaid expansion was ultimately thwarted when Democratic state senator Phillip Puckett resigned, resulting in a shift of the state senate majority to Republicans and stopping further advancement.

Economic development

McAuliffe was instrumental in attracting significant corporate investments to Virginia. He secured Stone Brewing Co.'s relocation to Richmond and facilitated a $2 billion paper manufacturing facility in the Richmond metropolitan area. Additionally, he negotiated the Corporate Executive Board's move of its global headquarters to Arlington, generating 800 new jobs. McAuliffe also played a role in reinstating cruise operations in Norfolk through Carnival Cruise Lines and expanded Air China's flights to Dulles International Airport. Under his leadership, Virginia became the first state to effectively end veteran homelessness in 2016. In 2017, after more than a year of discussions, he announced Nestlé USA’s headquarters would relocate from California to Virginia. Furthermore, he contributed to securing Amazon's second headquarters (HQ2) for Virginia in 2018, representing one of the largest economic development achievements in U.S. history.

Voting rights

In April 2016, McAuliffe issued an executive order restoring voting privileges to over 200,000 former felons in Virginia who had completed their sentences and any parole or probation requirements, allowing them to register to vote. At that time, Virginia was among 12 states enforcing lifetime disenfranchisement for felons, preventing voting rights restoration even after sentence completion.

The Supreme Court of Virginia initially struck down this order, ruling that the governor lacked authority to grant mass restorations of voting rights. Subsequently, in August 2016, McAuliffe individually reinstated voting rights for nearly 13,000 felons using an autopen signature device. Although Republican officials filed a contempt-of-court complaint against him, it was dismissed. By the conclusion of his tenure, McAuliffe had restored voting eligibility to 173,000 former felons—surpassing any other governor in U.S. history.

This broad restoration initiative generated controversy; several Democratic Commonwealth's Attorneys opposed it, including Theo Stamos (Arlington and Falls Church), Ray Morrogh (Fairfax), and Paul Ebert (Prince William). Progressive candidates endorsed by McAuliffe defeated Stamos and Morrogh in the 2019 primaries, while Ebert chose not to seek reelection.

FBI investigation

On May 23, 2016, CNN disclosed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was probing whether contributions to McAuliffe’s gubernatorial campaign violated legal statutes. Among these was a $120,000 donation from Chinese businessman Wang Wenliang. No charges were pursued since Wang’s status as a lawful permanent resident could render the contribution permissible under election laws.

Immigration

On January 31, 2017, McAuliffe collaborated with Attorney General Mark Herring to announce Virginia's involvement in the lawsuit Aziz v. Trump, contesting President Donald Trump's immigration executive order. Later, on March 27, 2017, he exercised his veto power against legislation that aimed to prohibit sanctuary cities within Virginia.

Death penalty

Although McAuliffe personally opposed capital punishment, he oversaw the final three executions in Virginia prior to the death penalty's repeal in 2021 by his successor Ralph Northam. Additionally, he commuted the sentences of two death row inmates, including Ivan Teleguz and William Joseph Burns.

Unite the Right rally

During McAuliffe's governorship, the 2017 Unite the Right rally took place in Charlottesville, Virginia. He strongly denounced the white supremacist demonstrators, declaring, "There is no place for you here, there is no place for you in America." Initially resistant to removing Confederate statues, McAuliffe changed his position following the events of the rally. Nevertheless, scrutiny persists regarding his involvement in the law enforcement response and whether political considerations influenced the handling of the situation.

Pardons

Throughout his term, McAuliffe granted pardons to 227 individuals—the highest number for any Virginia governor and triple that of his predecessor Bob McDonnell. In 2017, he pardoned the Norfolk Four, U.S. Navy personnel wrongfully convicted of a 1997 rape and murder case later overturned by a federal court in 2016. Conversely, he declined a pardon request from Jens Söring, convicted of double homicide. In January 2018, McAuliffe also pardoned six Virginians who had received disproportionately harsh sentences, including Travion Blount, who was sentenced to six life terms at age 15 for robbery.

Post-governorship

After the 2016 presidential election, McAuliffe emerged as a potential contender for the Democratic nomination in 2020. Reports in 2017 suggested he was seriously contemplating a campaign. He notably told union leaders, "If I can wrestle an alligator, I can certainly wrestle Donald Trump," alluding to a previous fundraising event. However, by April 2019, McAuliffe declared he would not pursue a presidential bid and instead concentrate on aiding Democrats in Virginia's 2019 elections.

In February 2018, he assumed the role of state engagement chair for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Currently, he holds a senior advisory position at MarTech firm Applecart.

Primary election

Despite Virginia's tradition against consecutive gubernatorial terms and Democratic calls to support two Black female candidates, McAuliffe announced his candidacy for governor in December 2020.

On June 8, 2021, he secured the Democratic nomination with 62% of votes cast, defeating four challengers and winning every city and county across the state.

General election

In the general election contest against Republican Glenn Youngkin, their initial debate was canceled after Youngkin objected to moderator Judy Woodruff’s prior contribution to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Eventually, they participated in two debates during an expensive campaign where both sides and external organizations collectively spent tens of millions of dollars.

McAuliffe’s campaign highlighted his previous economic achievements as governor along with support for infrastructure development, voting rights expansion, and Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Education policy became a focal point; McAuliffe criticized Youngkin over an advertisement featuring a supporter advocating for banning Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved from school curricula.

When questioned about vetoing legislation permitting parents to remove books from schools or curricula, McAuliffe responded, "I don't think parents should be telling schools what they should teach". Though this position was unpopular among some voters, analyses suggested it had minimal influence on election results.

Throughout the campaign, McAuliffe repeatedly referenced inflated COVID-19 case counts in Virginia, while Youngkin made several inaccurate or misleading statements concerning McAuliffe’s record.

High-profile Democrats such as Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Stacey Abrams, and Kamala Harris campaigned alongside McAuliffe. Both candidates aired television ads containing false or misleading claims.

The race was considered highly competitive with polls indicating a statistical tie ahead of Election Day.

Ultimately, Youngkin triumphed over McAuliffe with 50.6% of votes compared to McAuliffe’s 48.6%, winning by approximately 64,000 ballots.

Abortion

McAuliffe has consistently advocated for abortion rights. In 2017, he exercised his veto power to block legislation that aimed to cut funding for Planned Parenthood in Virginia.

Education

Focusing on workforce readiness, McAuliffe proposed financing education initiatives through savings generated by Medicaid expansion. During his 2013 campaign for governor, he committed to decreasing the dependence on standardized tests. In 2015, he approved bipartisan legislation instructing the Virginia Board of Education to implement accreditation standards that recognize schools demonstrating notable progress even if they fall short of established benchmarks. By 2017, the board, predominantly appointed by McAuliffe, adjusted accreditation rules by lowering the number of required standardized tests and incorporating additional measures such as absenteeism rates and achievement gap assessments.

In both 2016 and 2017, McAuliffe vetoed bills permitting parents to remove books containing "sexually explicit content" from schools—legislation often referred to as the "Beloved bill," which targeted works by authors like Toni Morrison. He also rejected Republican-supported efforts to expand charter schools, expressing concerns about undermining local school boards' authority and diverting funds from traditional public education.

Energy and environmental issues

McAuliffe recognizes that human activities contribute significantly to climate change and considers clean energy development a matter of national security. He promotes reducing dependence on foreign oil by investing in innovations such as carbon capture and storage, solar energy projects, and offshore wind farms. His environmental policies have garnered support from figures like billionaire Tom Steyer and organizations including the League of Conservation Voters.

During his 2009 gubernatorial bid, McAuliffe opposed the construction of new coal-fired power plants, asserting he would not endorse any additional facilities. By 2013, he supported enhanced safety regulations for coal operations and endorsed the EPA's Clean Power Plan, which restricts carbon emissions from power plants, effectively limiting new coal plant development while accelerating the phase-out of existing ones.

In 2017, McAuliffe called on the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to exclude Virginia's coastline from offshore drilling initiatives planned for the East Coast. That year, he also signed an executive order for Virginia to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), marking it as the first southern state to adopt a cap-and-trade program designed to curtail greenhouse gas emissions from power generation facilities.

Gun control

McAuliffe advocates for universal background checks on firearm transactions and supported reinstating Virginia's one-handgun-per-month restriction, prohibiting gun ownership for individuals under protection-from-abuse orders, and revoking concealed-carry permits from parents delinquent on child support payments. The one-handgun-per-month regulation was implemented in 2020 under Governor Ralph Northam. Additionally, McAuliffe has called for an assault weapons ban within Virginia. Despite his advocacy for gun control measures, he is an avid hunter and possesses multiple shotguns.

In January 2016, McAuliffe reached a bipartisan agreement with Republicans to recognize concealed carry permits issued by other states in Virginia, overturning a previous decision by Attorney General Mark Herring. The compromise also included provisions aimed at removing firearms from domestic abusers and mandated state police presence at gun shows to facilitate background checks upon requests from private sellers.

Healthcare

McAuliffe is a proponent of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and advocates for broadening Medicaid coverage, highlighting that the taxes paid by Virginians would be reinvested back into the state.

Impeachment

In August 2018, McAuliffe raised the possibility of President Trump's impeachment, asserting that if "President Obama had attended Helsinki and acted as President Trump did at the 2018 Russia–United States summit, impeachment proceedings would already be in motion."

Law enforcement

Regarding qualified immunity, McAuliffe shifted his stance in 2021; he initially supported abolishing it during the Democratic primary but opposed its repeal in the general election, as noted by PolitiFact.

LGBT rights

McAuliffe champions transgender rights and supports same-sex marriage. He endorsed the Supreme Court decisions in United States v. Windsor (2013), which invalidated the Defense of Marriage Act, and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which established same-sex marriage as a constitutional guarantee.

During his 2013 campaign for governor, McAuliffe became Virginia’s first candidate to publicly support same-sex marriage. In 2014, he made history as the first Virginia governor to officiate a same-sex wedding ceremony. Furthermore, during his 2021 campaign, he voiced his backing for transgender students' rights.

Transportation

McAuliffe advocated for the bipartisan transportation legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2013 and supported extending the Silver Line into Fairfax and Loudoun counties. In 2016, he played a key role in securing a $165 million federal FASTLANE grant for the Atlantic Gateway Project. By 2018, he announced an agreement to add 10 miles of express lanes along the I-95 corridor, a project completed in 2022.

Personal life

On October 8, 1988, McAuliffe married Dorothy Swann. The couple resides in McLean, Virginia with their five children. Their son Jack attended the United States Naval Academy and pursued a career as a Marine, while their daughter Sally graduated from Syracuse University in 2022.

In March 2018, McAuliffe was appointed as a visiting professor at George Mason University.

Memoirs

McAuliffe has authored two books that have appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.

His 2007 memoir, What a Party! My Life Among Democrats: Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators, and Other Wild Animals, co-authored with Steve Kettmann, debuted at number five. The book includes stories such as McAuliffe wrestling an eight-foot alligator to secure a $15,000 donation for President Jimmy Carter in 1980—a moment that was featured on the cover of Life magazine. It also recounts his interactions with figures like King Juan Carlos of Spain and President Bill Clinton, along with his contributions to revitalizing the Democratic National Convention. Additionally, McAuliffe reflects on his experiences following the September 11 attacks while at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

In response to the Unite the Right rally, McAuliffe released Beyond Charlottesville: Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism in 2019, which also earned a spot on The New York Times Best Seller list that August.

Electoral history

2009

2013

In the 2013 Democratic primary for Virginia governor, McAuliffe faced no challengers.

2021

External links

• Official campaign website