State Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County announced his candidacy for governor today, getting an early start on what figures to be a competitive 2009 race.

Deeds announced his bid for the Democratic nomination in an online video posted on his new campaign Web site, deedsforvirginia.com. It comes nearly two years before the 2009 election and a month before Gov. Tim Kaine reaches the halfway point of his four-year term.

In the announcement, Deeds appears in shirt-sleeves and casts himself as a logical successor to Kaine and his Democratic predecessor, Mark Warner.

"The Warner-Kaine brand of leadership is one reason Democrats here in Virginia have such a bright future and we need to continue that approach," Deeds said.

Deeds has been quietly laying the groundwork for a gubernatorial campaign, hoping to build upon his near-miss bid for attorney general in 2005. Deeds lost to Republican Bob McDonnell by just 360 votes in the closest statewide election in modern Virginia history. The outcome was decided only after a recount.

"Now, with your help, I'm running for governor with a mission: to keep our state the best place to live, work and raise a family," Deeds says in the video.

Deeds likely will have competition for the Democratic nomination. Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria has been traveling the state to build his profile and help Democratic candidates in preparation for a statewide campaign. McDonnell will seek the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and George Allen, a former governor and U.S. senator, also are considering running for the Republican nomination.

Deeds served for a decade in the House of Delegates and won a special election for his state Senate seat in 2001. In his announcement video, he emphasizes his efforts to pass child safety legislation and support Warner's  2004 tax and budget packages. He also aligns himself with Kaine's effort to expand participation pre-school programs for children in low-income families.