 Deeds announced his candidacy in December 2007.He was quickly joined by Delegate Brian Moran who announced on January 3, 2008.Initially, Deeds had built up momentum, having lost the race for attorney general in 2005 by just 323 votes Deeds's strategy was to campaign to the governor's mansion through his position in the Virginia State Senate by proposing several favorable legislative actions including proposing a measure to give a $10,000 tax-credit to businesses that made "job creating investments" and supporting eliminating the sales tax on renewable energy purchases.