ARLINGTON, Va. -- Virginia gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds is set to receive the endorsement of close to 50 members of the Virginia business community, including Washington Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis.

Deeds will appear here this morning with Leonsis and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) at the Capitals practice rink. Leonsis is chairing a group called Business Leaders for Deeds -- other than donating money, this is the first time the former America Online executive has stepped forward to prominently endorse a candidate for office, according to a Warner aide.

"I am impressed by Creigh's focus on quality education, technology and innovation as cornerstones of Virginia's economic future," Leonsis will say.

Warner, who made his money in the high-tech field before running for public office, will say, "I have known and worked closely with many of these community and business leaders, and I appreciate their willingness to step up and support Creigh's bipartisan focus on producing real results that move Virginia forward."

As Deeds receives an endorsement from the business community, the Bob McDonnell campaign is highlighting a recent $500,000 donation given to Deeds by the AFSCME, as well as $100,000 from another national labor union, the SEIU.

--Kyle Trygstad