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Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ed Gillespie has snagged the primary endorsement of three prominent Northern Virginia conservatives.
State Sen. Dick Black, former Congressman Frank Wolf and 10th District Republican Committee Chairwoman Jo Thoburn on Wednesday announced their support for Gillespie, a past Republican National Committee chairman and Washington lobbyist who nearly ousted Democratic Sen. Mark Warner in a 2014 Senate bid.
Gillespie is in a three-person battle for the Republican nomination, which will be decided by a statewide primary next summer. Also seeking the GOP nomination are state Sen. Frank Wagner (R-7th) and Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart.
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.-1st) on Thursday announced he is withdrawing his bid for the governorship.
“I support Ed Gillespie because he will fight for conservative values and advance our principles all across Virginia,” Sen. Black said in a prepared statement. “We can count on Ed to support the cause of liberty, defend innocent human life and protect our Second Amendment rights.”
Gillespie said Northern Virginia “will be critical” to his campaign’s success in the primary and general election.
Current Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (D) is running for governor on the Democratic side.