Folks, buckle in for the next, next election. Yes, that’s right, we haven’t even reached 2012 and already the 2013 races are kicking off.

Make no mistake about it, we just finished one of the most competitive, brutal off term, non-statewide elections in Virginia history. And 2012 is shaping up to be even nastier with the most competitive Senate race in the country and Virginia’s newfound status as a battleground state on the presidential level. And, as if all of that isn’t enough, the candidates for 2013’s statewide contests are already jumping into the races. Unbelievable.

It started last week with Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli announcing that he will run for governor in 2013, although a more formal kick off is planned for closer to the election. This is setting up a bruising fight for the GOP nomination against Lt. Governor Bill Bolling that will likely be one of the most expensive primary battles in Virginia history.

And, Cuccinelli’s early announcement set off a scramble for the other statewide seats with several potential candidates already sending off flares that they are considering bids for the GOP nomination for attorney general.

In all my time covering politics in Virginia, this takes the cake. We haven’t even started the next election, and the candidates who were either just elected last month or two years ago to their current positions are gaming for their next promotion.

Call me crazy, but perhaps our elected leaders from both parties, would do better to focus on the jobs we elected them to do. Stop focusing two years out on your resume. This might ensure better representation in Richmond and give the added benefit to the voters of a brief respite from all the perpetual campaigning.

We all need a break… if only for a few weeks… from near constant campaigning.