This morning’s Washington Post reveals the announcement of the Gillespie for Governor leadership team and the unveiling of a new website on top of the mutli-figure warchest in the Team Virginia PAC.
From the Washington Post:
“I will be a governor for all Virginians, and I will take our campaign to all Virginians,” Gillespie said in a written statement. “I look forward to putting forward an innovative policy agenda based on our shared conservative principles, and taking our message of economic growth and upward mobility to every corner of the Commonwealth and every voter.”
Gillespie is a political operative, former chairman of the Republican National Committee and one-time counselor to then-President George W. Bush. He faces three rivals for his party’s nomination: Rep. Rob Wittman; Corey A. Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors; and state Sen. Frank Wagner of Virginia Beach.
Meanwhile, Prince William County chairman Corey Stewart opened up with a fusillade of criticism directed at Gillespie, to wit:
Now there’s a backbone of iron. I mean, finally — right? A politician who is finally willing to say no to lobbyists in Richmond. Why, if you look at the VPAP website, there’s no possible way that Stewart would approve of contributing to the swamp — right?
…ouch.
Of course, Catron is a friend and does good work. But the whole “some animals are more equal than others” approach to the Animal Farm seems a tad bit obtuse.
Meanwhile, Politifact (our favorite leftist watchdog-turned-lapdog) is attempting to referee a slapfight regarding Stewart’s claim that he kept Trump at arms length:
Contrary to Stewart’s statement, there were a few times when Gillespie did mention Trump’s name – tepidly – while voicing support for the GOP ticket. Matt Moran, Gillespie’s campaign spokesman, pointed out those occasions.
. . .
Gillespie certainly did not praise Trump, and he did criticize the presidential nominee for making a vulgar statement about women.
But there are several instances where Gillespie mentioned Trump while voicing support of the GOP ticket, saying it was important to keep conservative control of the U.S. Supreme Court.
So we rate Stewart’s statement False.
For those keeping score, here is the current and by no means exhaustive makeup of the 2017 Virginia statewide contests with possible candidates and those who have declined the honor (and a preview of the 2018 U.S. Senate candidates)
GOVERNOR
- Former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie
- PWC Chairman Corey Stewart
- Representative Rob Wittman
- State Senator Frank Wagner
-
Disruptor Fund Chairman Pete Snyder -
State Senator Mark Obenshain
LT. GOVERNOR
- State Senator Jill Vogel
- State Senator Bryce Reeves
- Delegate Glenn Davis
- Former 2014 U.S. Senate candidate Shak Hill
ATTORNEY GENERAL
- John Adams (McGuire Woods)
- Former Virginia Beach GOP Chairman Chuck Smith
- State Senator Bill Stanley
- RPV Chairman John Whitbeck
- Delegate Tim Hugo
- State Senator Mark Obenshain
-
Delegate Rob Bell
U.S. SENATE (2018)
- Former Governor Jim Gilmore
- Former HP Executive Carly Fiorina
- Representative Rob Wittman
- Representative Barbara Comstock
- Representative Dave Brat
- Disruptor Fund Chairman Pete Snyder
- Former 2014 U.S. Senate candidate Shak Hill
- Former Governor George Allen