Terry McAuliffe's file

Democrat from Virginia

Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, was elected governor of Virginia on Nov. 5, 2013. He received 47.8 percent of the vote in defeating Republican Ken Cuccinelli, who came in at 45.2 percent. Robert Sarvis, a Libertarian, finished a distant third with 6.5 percent. McAuliffe's inaguration as Virginia's 72nd governor is scheduled on Jan. 11, 2014. McAuliffe, a wealthy businessman and noted political fundraiser, was co-chairman of President Bill Clinton's 1996 reelection campaign. He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005 and chairman of Hillary Clinton's unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2008. In 2009, McAuliffe unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Virginia governor. McAuliffe was born in Syracuse, N.Y., on Feb. 9, 1957. He has a bachelor's degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C. McAuliffe has lived in Fairfax County for more than 20 years, is married and has five children.

The PolitiFact scorecard

True 6 (18%) (6%)
Mostly True 3 (9%) (3)
Half True 2 (6%) (2)
Mostly False 12 (35%) (12)
False 6 (18%) (6)
Pants on Fire 3 (9%)(3)

Terry McAuliffe's website

Our Terry McAuliffe feeds

Recent statements by and about Terry McAuliffe

Mostly True

Slightly off on rural communities

McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe

During his governorship: "Every single city and county in Virginia, their unemployment dropped, and in most of the rural communities, it dropped more than 50 percent."

— PolitiFact Virginia on Tuesday, December 4th, 2018

Mostly False

Misleading claim

McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe

"We would be just like North Carolina with HB2-like (transgender bathroom) legislation. It actually passed our chamber and I vetoed it."

— PolitiFact Virginia on Monday, December 5th, 2016

True

He's right

McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe

Before April 22, "we have restored the rights of more than 18,000 individuals, which is more than the past seven governors combined in their four-year terms."

— PolitiFact Virginia on Monday, May 9th, 2016

True

Millions of dollars in soybeans

McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe

"Virginia now is the number one exporter of (agricultural) products to Cuba. We have now jumped to number one."

— PolitiFact Virginia on Thursday, March 24th, 2016

Mostly False

You can, but it's not easy

McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe

"Under Virginia law, if you are a non-federally licensed (gun) dealer, you cannot get a background check even if you want one."

— PolitiFact Virginia on Monday, February 15th, 2016

Recent stories featuring Terry McAuliffe

Were militia groups in Charlottesville better equipped than Virginia State Police?

In response to violence in Charlottesville, Va., Gov. Terry McAuliffe praised law enforcement’s work, but also said that some demonstrators were better equipped than the State Police. Here's what we know.

Sorting through the Medicaid claims

The General Assembly is deadlocked over expanding Medicaid elgibility in Virginia and dubious statements abound. Here's a recap:

Scores of Medicaid audits still leave holes

House Republicans are insisting Virginia's Medicaid system undergo a two-year audit before they'll consider expanding it. Gov. Terry McAuliffe says the program already has been studied to death and it's time for action.

We looked at dozens of Virginia Medicaid audits published in recent years to find out what they say about Virginia's $8 billion-a-year health program.

PolitiFact Virginia introduces the Macker-Meter

Gov. Terry McAuliffe, take heed: If you promised it during your campaign, PolitiFact Virginia will track it.

Introducing the Macker-Meter

The Macker-Meter will monitor what progress, if any, Gov. Terry McAuliffe makes on 17 of his campaign promises last year.