Ed Gillespie
Ed Gillespie was a 2017 Republican candidate for governor of Virginia. He was defeated in the general election on November 7, 2017.
Prior to that, Gillespie was the Republican nominee in the 2014 U.S. Senate election in Virginia. Gillespie served as chairman of the Republican National Committee between 2003 and 2005. Among Gillespie's campaign proposals is his Cutting Taxes for ALL Virginians plan, a 10 percent cut to the state income tax. Five polls were released on the eve of the election. All five showed Northam with a lead, although the candidates were within the margin of error in four. For more information, click here.
Biography
Gillespie is the former chair of the Republican National Committee.[1] He owns Quinn Gillespie & Associates, a bipartisan lobbying firm he started with Jack Quinn. Gillespie once served as a counselor to former President George W. Bush. He was also an advisor for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in 2012. In addition to the lobbying firm, Gillespie founded his own political strategy firm, Ed Gillespie Strategies. He is responsible for founding Crossroads GPS, a political advocacy group, with Karl Rove. In 2009, he co-founded the political advocacy firm Resurgent Republic. Gillespie was an aide to former House Majority Leader Dick Armey. Armey later went on to form the political action committee, FreedomWorks. Gillespie started his career as a Senate parking lot attendant.[2]
Elections
2017
- See also: Virginia gubernatorial election, 2017
Gillespie was among three candidates in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D). The November 7, 2017, election pitted Gillespie against Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and patent attorney Cliff Hyra (L). Gillespie defeated Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart and state Sen. Frank Wagner in the June 13, 2017, primary election.
Gillespie announced in early October 2015 that he would seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2017.[3]
In November 2015, Gillespie created Let’s Grow, Virginia! PAC, a political action committee.[3]
Campaign finance
According to the Virginia Public Access Project, these were the top 10 donors to Gillespie's gubernatorial campaign as of October 26, 2017. For a full list of donors, click here.
1. A Stronger Virginia - $4,000,000
2. Let's Grow Virginia - $1,147,355
3. Republican Governors Association - $1,000,000
4. Republican Party of Virginia - $496,019
5. Dwight C. Schar - $200,000
6. Nicholas F. Taubman - $150,000
7. John L. Nau, III - $136,004
8. Jay W. Faison - $133,000
9. Altria - $110,000
~ Richard E. Uihlein - $110,000
Endorsements
The following endorsements are taken from Gillespie's official campaign website. For a full list, click here.
- Gov. Scott Walker
- Gov. Doug Ducey
- Ambassador and former Gov. Nikki Haley
- Former Gov. and Sen. George Allen
- Former Gov. Bob McDonnell
- Sen. Tom Cotton
- Sen. Marco Rubio
- Rep. Morgan Griffith
- Rep. Bob Goodlatte
- Rep. Barbara Comstock
- Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
- Former Presidential candidate Carly Fiorina
2014
Gillespie ran in the 2014 election for the U.S. Senate, representing Virginia.[1] On June 7, 2014, delegates met at the 2014 Republican State Convention to choose the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate to take on incumbent Mark Warner.[4] Gillespie won the nomination. He was chosen by Republican delegates over senior policy advisor for Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Anthony DeTora, veteran combat pilot Wayshak Hill and businessman Charles Moss. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
In a race that was too close to call, Sen. Mark Warner declared victory in his bid for re-election to the United States Senate. Initially, Gillespie did not concede. He said, "Unfortunately some campaigns last longer than others, and I'm going to need a little more hard work ... we know there will be a canvass that commences [Wednesday] and we will have a better sense [of who won]. We're going to be patient here."[5] On November 7, 2014, Gillespie decided not to seek a recount and conceded to Warner.[6]
Election results
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mark Warner Incumbent | 49.1% | 1,073,667 | |
Republican | Ed Gillespie | 48.3% | 1,055,940 | |
Libertarian | Robert Sarvis | 2.4% | 53,102 | |
N/A | write-in | 0.1% | 1,764 | |
Total Votes | 2,184,473 | |||
Source: Virginia Department of Elections |
Campaign themes
2017
Gillespie listed the following issues on his website:[7]
“ |
Cutting Taxes for ALL Virginians plan
FAITH in Our Government for ALL Virginians Plan As governor, Ed Gillespie will lead a state government rooted in Fairness, Accountability, Integrity, Transparency, and Honesty. His 15-point ‘FAITH in our Government for ALL Virginians’ Plan will level the playing field, give citizens a greater say, close campaign finance loopholes, increase transparency, and foster confidence in state government. But more than anything, Ed will lead by example as “an honest, ethical, principled, hardworking, faithful servant-leader worthy of Virginia.” Too many Virginians feel that government works for the well-connected and powerful, leaders are unaccountable for their actions, decisions are driven by special interests, and a fog of bureaucracy clouds transparency. The 15-point FAITH plan will ensure Fairness, Accountability, Integrity, Transparency, and Honesty in government for ALL Virginians. As governor, Ed Gillespie will make sure that our government is responsive to the needs of Virginians. Government will be held accountable to “We the People” and Virginians will have confidence that our leaders are serving us, not special interests. Ed will take concrete action to see this vision through, but he also knows that the best way to affect change is to lead by example. His pledge to be an honest, ethical, principled, hardworking, faithful servant-leader worthy of our proud and storied history is not just a campaign promise, it is what is in his heart. He will carry this commitment with him every day as the 73rd Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Effectiveness & Efficiency: A Government that Works for ALL Virginians The Governor of Virginia is the chief executive officer of the Commonwealth, responsible for the management and day-to-day oversight of its departments, agencies, workforce and services. For too long, Virginians have seen leadership that is more focused on ceremonial duties, international travel and national politics rather than the business of Virginia. Virginians deserve a chief executive officer who is focused on management, not Sunday shows and partisan rallies. As governor, Ed Gillespie will serve Virginians as an effective and prepared manager – focused equally on leadership and management. Virginians are fortunate to have thousands of good people serving in our state workforce dedicated to helping their fellow citizens, but too often red tape hinders their ability to do so. We must do more to recognize, reward and retain our state employees so they can better deliver for the people of Virginia. Removing Barriers to Job Creation for ALL Virginians As governor, Ed Gillespie will enact meaningful reform to remove barriers to job creation. Ed’s policies will make it easier for businesses to grow and thrive. Our economic growth rate in 2015 was an anemic two percent. Yet that was the first time in five years it was above one percent. In 2014, we were in the bottom ten states in economic growth. Ed knows Virginia can and should be number one in economic growth and job creation. As governor, Ed will produce the Governor’s Economic Growth Plan as required by statute. This comprehensive plan for the economy will lay the foundation for Virginia to again become the best state for business and put a greater focus on start-ups and scale-ups.[8] |
” |
—Ed Gillespie[9] |
Ed Gillespie on universal background checks
October 27, 2017: At a 2017 debate between Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates, Ralph Northam (D) asked Ed Gillespie (R), "Do you support universal background checks in the Commonwealth of Virginia?" Gillespie prefaced his response by stating, "As you know, there are universal background checks." Is that correct? Has Virginia enacted universal background checks for firearms purchases? Read Ballotpedia's fact check »
Ed Gillespie on Virginia's economy
August 15, 2017: Ed Gillespie, GOP candidate for Virginia governor, claimed, "Too many Virginians are working part time who want to work full time. We hit a 10-year low in labor force participation rate last year...and since the lieutenant governor was first elected to the General Assembly 10 years ago, we have shed 69,000 manufacturing jobs. We're trading out high-paying jobs for low-paying jobs."
Is Gillespie right about Virginia's economy? Read Ballotpedia's fact check »
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Gillespie is married with three children.[2]
See also
Virginia | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
- Resurgent Republic, Gillespie's political advocacy business
- Ed Gillespie Strategies, his PR and lobbying business, now closed
- QGA Public Affairs, Gillespie's lobbying business, formerly Quinn Gillespie & Associates
- Lobbyist profile
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Roll Call, "Report: Ed Gillespie to Challenge Mark Warner," accessed January 10, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ed Gillespie Strategies, "Bio," accessed January 10, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, "Virginia governor’s race gets off to an early start with Gillespie fundraiser," December 7, 2015
- ↑ RPV.org, "2014 Republican State Convention Tentative Agenda," accessed May 30, 2014 (dead link)
- ↑ NBC Washington, "Virginia Senate: Gillespie, Warner Race Too Close to Call," accessed November 5, 2014
- ↑ Washington Post, "Republican Ed Gillespie concedes Va. Senate race," accessed November 7, 2014
- ↑ Ed Gillespie”, "Issues," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Ed Gillespie, "Issues," accessed June 9, 2017