(CNN) – Tim Kaine spoke with President Obama earlier this week as he considers a potential Senate bid in Virginia, but the Democratic National Committee chairman is still a couple weeks away from making a final decision.
Kaine - a former Virginia governor whom Obama is reportedly lobbying to run for Senate in the wake of Democratic Sen. Jim Webb's retirement announcement – won't announce his plans until the end of February or early March, DNC communications director Brad Woodhouse said.
There had been some speculation Kaine might have an announcement of some kind this weekend, when he addresses the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner - a major Virginia Democratic Party fundraiser in Richmond Saturday. Kaine was a late addition to the event, a move the fueled speculation that he is at least seriously considering jumping into the race.
Kaine will thank supporters for their encouragement at Saturday's dinner, but will not discuss his decision process further, Woodhouse said.
Webb's decision earlier this week has left Virginia Democrats scrambling to find a strong candidate to run in his place. Former Sen. George Allen is hoping to recapture his seat, which he lost to Webb in the 2006 election, but must first survive a primary campaign against at least one conservative rival, Richmond-area Tea Party activist Jamie Radtke. Corey Stewart, the GOP chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, is also likely to run.
Kaine is reportedly reluctant to run, though Obama gave him a boost Wednesday during an interview with a Virginia television station.
"I want to hear what he wants to do," he told Richmond's WWBT Wednesday. "I think he would be a great senator from Virginia if he chose to do that."
Kaine is by far the most prominent name on the roster of possible Democratic candidates – a list that also includes former Reps. Tom Perriello and Rick Boucher.
- CNN's Peter Hamby contributed to this report