BY JIM NOLAN

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is not going to let running for governor get in the way of his working relationship with Gov, Bob McDonnell or his designated heir apparent —Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling — the man Cuccinelli intends to challenge for the GOP nomination in 2013.

“My working relationship with the Governor is not going to suffer during the remainder of my tenure,” Cuccinelli assured supporters in an email edition of his campaign newsletter, the Cuccinelli Compass. 

“Additionally, I am as readily available and willing to work with the Lt. Governor as ever,” Cuccinelli said. “We are all allies in governance today and always, even if we will be competitors in politics in 2013.”

Cuccinelli’s entry into the race several weeks ago received a frosty reception from Bolling, who said the attorney general was putting his “personal ambition” ahead of what was best for the party by challenging him.

McDonnell stayed away from the fray calling both men “dedicated public servants,” but also reiterated his support of Bolling as his successor.

The attorney general also addressed complaints he’s heard about not deferring to Bolling for the top job.

“I didn’t get in a line and I am not in the habit of trying to stifle competition,” he said. “I’m certainly not going to stifle it myself.

“In the Republican Party, we talk all the time about the importance of free markets and open competition.  It seems to me that if we don’t practice what we preach, we won’t have much credibility with others,” Cuccinelli added.