The “Frankenstorm” has washed out Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s Sunday campaign swing in Virginia.

Romney’s campaign decided today to cancel Sunday events in Prince William County and Richmond because of the anticipated effects of Hurricane Sandy. The campaign already had decided to cancel a Sunday night rally in Virginia Beach because of the storm.

“I want to thank the Romney campaign for making a very prudent decision regarding tomorrow’s planned campaign events in Virginia,” Gov. Bob McDonnell said this afternoon. “We have been in regular communication with the Romney campaign and they determined that it would be best for public safety in the state that they cancel their events. I thank them for this decision and appreciate their concern for public safety in Virginia.”

Romney instead will campaign with running mate Paul Ryan on Sunday in Ohio, another key battleground state in the Nov. 6 election.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to campaign in Prince William County on Monday, when high winds and heavy rain are expected. Obama’s campaign said Friday that it would monitor the weather and reassess plans if necessary.

– Michael Sluss