RICHMOND, VA – Seventeen conservative leaders from the First Congressional District endorsed Ed Gillespie for Governor on Friday, just 24 hours after Congressman Rob Wittman declared he would not run for Governor in 2017. The endorsements include Delegates, local elected leaders and grassroots activists from across the region.
“The flood of support from the First District yesterday and today is adding even more energy to an already exciting week for our campaign,” said Gillespie. “I appreciate everyone who’s come forward to join us in the last 24 hours, and look forward to adding more names from the First District and across the Commonwealth at this weekend’s Republican Party of Virginia Advance. We are building a campaign for all Virginians to help me be a governor for all Virginians.”
The full list of new First Congressional District supporters is below.
- Rich Anderson, Delegate, Prince William County
- Mark Cole, Delegate, Spotsylvania County
- Margaret Ransone, Delegate, Westmoreland County
- Travis Bird, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Spotsylvania County
- Bill Card, Former GOP Chair, Prince William County
- Robert Deeds, Sheriff, James City County/Williamsburg City
- Danny Diggs, Sheriff, York County/Poquoson City
- Willie Deutsch, School Board Member, Prince William County
- Vince Donoghue, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Essex County
- Raymond Duncan, GOP Chair, King George County
- Jim Fisher, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Fauquier County
- Debbie Harper, GOP Chair, Richmond County
- Chris Henderson, GOP Chair, James City County
- Eric Herr, GOP Chair, 1st Congressional District
- Bob Mosier, Sheriff, Fauquier County
- Dave Rector, GOP Chair, Essex County
- Jeff Sili, Supervisor, GOP Chair, Caroline County
This announcement caps a strong week for the campaign, which earned endorsements from Tea Party Patriots Federation President Rick Buchanan, conservative leader Martha Boneta, Northern Virginia leaders Congressman Frank Wolf, Senator Dick Black and 10th District Chair Jo Thoburn. Gillespie is also endorsed by a majority of the State Central Committee and two-thirds of the Republican members of the General Assembly.
“Ed Gillespie is a unifying conservative who can bring our party together around shared principles, an optimistic vision and a substantive policy agenda,” said Campaign Chairman Pete Snyder. “The breadth and depth of the support he’s received this week speaks to both the strength of our campaign and how Ed will lead as governor. He is unifying our party and he will unify our Commonwealth in 2017.”
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