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Virginia Governor Says Farewell

Governor Terry McAuliffe (D-Va)
governor's office
Governor Terry McAuliffe (D-Va)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Latest on the start of the Virginia General Assembly session (all times local):

Outgoing Democratic Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe says his proudest achievement during his four years in office was restoring voting and other civil rights to thousands of felons who had completed their sentences.

McAuliffe discussed his legacy in his final "State of the Commonwealth" address to lawmakers Wednesday evening.

He also touted his record on economic development, announcing Virginia has attracted more than $20 billion in new capital investment since he took office.

That's a figure McAuliffe says exceeds any previous governor by more than $6.5 billion dollars.

McAuliffe says witnessing the "bigotry and violence" during a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville that turned deadly in August was the lowest point of his tenure. Family members of the three Virginia residents who died that day were present for his speech.

McAuliffe leaves office on Saturday.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.