Gov. Bob McDonnell Passed Over for VP; Mitt Romney Picks Rep. Paul Ryan

Just more than two weeks before he's expected to receive a presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention, Mitt Romney announced Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan would join him on the ballot in the 2012 election, passing over Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who had been on the short list of many political experts.

Romney will be in Manassas this afternoon on a campaign stop and McDonnell is scheduled to attend. ( starting at 4 p.m. Saturday.)

Romney was scheduled to make the announcement Saturday morning before 9 a.m. in Norfolk as he starts a tour of Virginia, an important swing state in this year's presidential elections, but earlier in the morning.

Just days ago in Dale City,  this fall.

McDonnell was among a short list of other prominent Republicans considered for the spot, including Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, and Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, according to the New York Times.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was also considered among Romney's top picks, he preferred to work in the Senate.

Virginia hasn't seen a native vice president in more than 170 years. The last time a Virginian was a vice president of the United States was in 1841 for about a month — John Tyler served in the administration of William Henry Harrison. Tyler became president following Harrison's death after just 32 days in office. Thomas Jefferson was vice president from 1797 to 1801 in the John Adams administration.

from the Romney campaign, "U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan is in his seventh term in Congress representing Wisconsin’s First Congressional District.  He is Chairman of the House Budget Committee, where he has worked tirelessly leading the effort to reign in federal spending and increase accountability to taxpayers. He also serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he has focused on simplifying the tax code and making health care more affordable and accessible."

said he was "thrilled to be a part of America's Comeback Team."

"I believe my record of getting things done in Congress will be a very helpful complement to Governor Romney’s executive and private sector success outside Washington," said Ryan. "I have worked closely with Republicans as well as Democrats to advance an agenda of economic growth, fiscal discipline, and job creation."

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.

Speak out: See about Romney's pick here. 

Earlier Coverage: 

VIDEO: McDonnell Will be 'Top Advocate' for Romney in Virginia