Ex-RNC chief will head McDonnell's campaign

By: Jeff Schapiro | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: February 13, 2009

Another former chairman of a national political party is wading into the Virginia governor's race, but not as a candidate.

Ed Gillespie, ex-head of the Republican National Committee and briefly chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, is signing on as general chairman of Bob McDonnell's bid for governor.

McDonnell, currently attorney general, is unopposed for the Republican nomination for governor. He steps down as AG next Friday to run full time for the state's top office.

Gillespie brings a trove of big-money contacts to the McDonnell organization as well a network of strategists and tacticians.

Gillespie's role in the McDonnell campaign -- it was announced this morning -- further underscores the national nature of the Virginia race and the stakes for Republicans.

Since 2001, they've lost back-to-back campaigns for governor, two U.S. Senate seats and the Virginia Senate. Democrats also have taken back the U.S. House delegation.

This fall, Republicans defend a shrinking majority in the House of Delegates, their last redoubt of power.

A former Democratic National Chairman, Terry McAuliffe, is one of three candidates for his party's nomination for governor. The current Virginia governor, Timothy Kaine, was picked by President Obama to head the DNC.

Ex-RNC chief will head McDonnell's campaign

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