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Ex-Virginia House speaker files papers to run for governor

Kirk Cox/Facebook

Former Virginia House Speaker Kirk Cox has filed paperwork to run for governor in 2021.

Cox joins a small field of Republicans looking to enter the race.

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The 63-year-old Cox is a retired high school teacher who’s served in the House of Delegates since 1990.

He filed paperwork Wednesday to create a campaign committee. Cox was elected as speaker in 2018.

He lost that role after Democrats won a majority in both the House and Senate in November for the first time in a generation.

Cox announced in August that he was seriously considering a run for governor.

He cited what he called a “vacuum of leadership” created by Democrats in recent months.