By Dale Eisman
The Virginian-Pilot
ALEXANDRIA
Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, whose intent to run for the U.S. Senate has been clear since early September, formalized his candidacy Monday.
Gilmore, a 58-year old Republican, announced his plans in a video posted on the Internet and e-mailed 5,000 "opinion leaders" and reporters. His campaign staff also mailed a fundraising appeal to about 70,000 Virginians.
With both houses of Congress now controlled by Democrats, "the orientation is toward higher and higher taxes and I think it's time for a change," Gilmore said in an interview.
Gilmore said he will run on his record as governor and his expertise in recognizing and dealing with terrorist threats. As governor, he headed a national commission that warned well before Sept. 11 that federal, state and local agencies were unprepared for a major attack on U.S. soil.
Gilmore's announcement sets up an expensive and likely acidic effort to succeed retiring Republican Sen. John Warner. Former Gov. Mark Warner, no relation to John Warner, is virtually certain to be the Democratic nominee; he already has raised more than $1 million for the campaign.
Del. Chris Saxman, a three-term Republican from Staunton, in the Shenandoah Valley, was reported Monday to be considering a challenge to Gilmore for the GOP nomination. He would enter the race as a huge underdog. U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, R-11th District, who is far better-known than Saxman and has spent most of his 12 years in Congress planning a Senate race, withdrew this month rather than do battle with Gilmore.
John Warner said Monday that Gilmore "has a record of extensive, credible public service" but did not offer an endorsement. "After the party works its will to select nominees... I will offer to assist candidates with financial support," he said in a written statement.
Gilmore and Mark Warner served back-to-back terms as governor, beginning with Gilmore's inauguration in 1998. They have dramatically different personalities and approaches to campaigning and governing.
A Richmond native and son of a butcher, Gilmore is a blunt-speaking advocate of the tax-cutting, tough-on-crime, socially conservative Republicanism that has marked the state party's leadership since the 1980s.
Gilmore was a candidate for president for several months earlier this year, casting himself as the only "true conservative" in the contest. He abandoned his campaign in July when it became apparent he could not raise enough money to compete.
Dick Leggitt, a veteran Republican operative now advising Gilmore, said he expects the GOP Senate nominee will need "on the upside of $10 million" to do battle with Mark Warner. The Democrat, who made millions in the emerging cellular telephone industry during the 1980s, enjoys considerable support in the state's business community and could draw on his personal fortune.
Trained as a lawyer at the University of Virginia, Gilmore now practices in Washington. He was the chief prosecutor in Henrico County, a staunchly Republican Richmond suburb, when he won his first statewide race - the 1993 contest for attorney general. He easily captured the governorship four years later.
Elected largely on the strength of his promise to win repeal of the personal property tax - an unpopular annual levy on taxpayer vehicles and boats - Gilmore ran into trouble when even a gradual phase-out of the tax drained more money than he expected from the state.
A mild recession that hit during the late 1990s further depleted the treasury and Gilmore left office in 2002 with the state facing a $3.8 billion budget shortfall.
Warner, who accused Gilmore of hiding the extent of the state's fiscal troubles, imposed a series of spending cuts to close part of the gap. But in 2004, he went back on a campaign promise and persuaded a bipartisan coalition of legislators to pass a tax increase.
Gilmore already has indicated that the tax increase will be part of the Senate campaign next year.
Though he has enjoyed considerable success in politics, even some of his fellow Republicans take exception to Gilmore's uncompromising style. Some GOP state legislators argue that his refusal to compromise on the car tax and other budget issues led to Mark Warner's election as governor in 2001.
Democrats went on the attack within hours of Gilmore's announcement.
"Jim Gilmore's term as governor was a disaster, and Virginians are not looking for a repeat," Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said in a prepared statement.
"Gilmore's misplaced priorities and faulty management left the state swimming in red ink."
Dale Eisman, (703)913-9872,
Web link:
Official campaign site, jimgilmoreforsenate.com
Previous stories:
- Warner and Gilmore poised for '08 Senate battle
- Warner shows early lead over GOP hopefuls in Senate race
- Mark Warner raises $1.1 million in a few weeks for Senate bid
- Mark Warner announces Senate bid via e-mail, Web
- Sen. John Warner won't seek re-election
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republicans have failed
I think it's time for the never-vote-for-a-Democrat, all-Democrats-are-liberal-tax-happy-free-spenders to hitch up the trailer and move to North Carolina. Virginians have seen what republican governors and a republican General Assembly can accomplish. Nothing. The roads and schools are a mess. That's because republicans have to appease their anti-tax, anti-everything base. republicans and the blind, blue collar mob they lead need to return to the middle. Warner, Webb and Kaine are good men who happen to be Democrats. All have served this state well. It's time to ignore those who would stifle progress by whining about taxes and posting knee-jerk prophecies of doom every time the word 'Democrat' is mentioned. They are uneducated fools.
Empty your wallets
Into the hands of the tax and spend liberal democrats you are voting for. All of you folks out there preaching the great news of Mark Warner rolling over Jim Gilmore in the impending election must love giving away your money. Gas is going thru the roof and the democrats will undoubtedly levy another tax on it, on top of the 7 localities that will tax gas yet again to pay for the roads our Democratic Gov. Kaine failed to address therefore putting the burden on the localities. Thank god Hampton Roads does not dictate who wins the election. All you Bush hating democrats would vote for the devil himself if he ran on the democrat ticket. Go Jim Gilmore!!! I will vote for you and so will many more!! Everybody ain't stupid!!
NO NOT AGAIN
After his destruction of the commonwealth's budget. Not being man enough to stop the car tax changeover for one year to see how bad the ecomonic downturn was going to be. So he sent the rainy fund on his "car tax" and we had nothng left for the down turn. I would not vote for him for dog catcher, republican or not. He was a failure. We don't want him in the Senate.
Double Play
My budget professor said..."an initiative without an offset is a liar and a thief." Gilmore said he would do away with the car tax. Wrong, he just made it an obligation of the Commonwealth. Then, in order to pay this obligation, the Legislature had to steal from other programs supported by the general fund. So Gilmore succeeded in proving my old professor both right and prescient at the same time.
Why not Pat Robertson for Senate?
Virginia republicans backed the most stupid President in America with George Bush. We watch daily the complete insanity as they support the deranged and out of control Pat Robertson. Virginia republicans were one of the most arrogant supporters of the bogus Iraq War. Virginia republicans had this bozo aka Gilmore just about bankrupt Virginia. Virginia republicans want to prove even further that they are the most stupid people on the planet and bring back this sorry SOB. May God help us!
Poor decison to run
Running against Mark Warner for Senate is a poor proposition when he could wait and run for Governor in 09 and serve in what is a more rewarding and powerful job, unless he has a gentleman's agreement not to run against George Allen who may also run. This decision tells me that Allen will run for Governor although Bill Bolling has his eye on that as well.
So easy to vote for Mark Warner now
Jim Gilmore was a terrible governor and failed to think long term about his decisions. He wrecked havoc on the state budget to push through an unaffordable tax cut. I hope Mark Warner blows him out of the water next November. Jim Gilmore is an extremist and is exactly why I hate the Republican Party.
Because Gilmore was a better governor than Warner
For all of you naysayers.... wake up and look at the facts. Gilmore was more business friendly and looked to save Virginians money. Quite simply, Gilmore was a better governor, hands down. Warner is a tax and spend liberal. He did not govern any other way. Gilmore tried to remove the personal property tax and thanks to Warner and Kaine it is on its way back. I will be forever grateful to Gilmore for sparing me the hundreds of dollars in personal property tax over the past years. That is money I could spend on something else. Next time you stroke a check for your increasing PP tax, say a word of thanks to Warner. Gilmore for Senate!
Yes, I know
I have no room to talk being from the state that produced John "I'll say whatever it takes to get elected" Edwards, but the GOP seems to really think that Virginians are idiots. Ollie North and now Gilmore 2: The saga continues. One thing about the current Sen. Warner was he garned my vote on principal. He drew the ire of the GOP by not backing North. Now they may expect you to back a proven budget wrecker by blaming the tax increases he forced on Virginia on Mark Warner? Seriously folks, look at this deeper than the news reports will show. Mark Warner is similiar to the man he is trying to replace. He can pull a consensus from both parties to lead. Unless you consider politics to be sport, you have nothing to gain in Gilmore.
I ain't votin' for him
"Gilmore... e-mailed 5,000 "opinion leaders" and reporters." Well, where MY email Mr. Gilmore? I have an opinion.
Gilmore/[John] Warner
SOSDD, career politicians with their own interests (or interests that can be bought) in mind.
Happy days are here again.....
The Republican party in Virginia is still dominated by the
"so called" Christian conservatives. They decided to forego a primary and hold a convention instead. Great decision!! It eliminated a more moderate Republican candidate, U.S. Rep. Tom Davis. Virginians not only need, but deserve intelligent, honest, level headed men like Senator Jim Webb and soon to be Senator Mark Warner. Come November 2008, I hope Jim Gilmore and his equally incompetent, arrogant, stubborn and utterly delusional "buddy" G.W.Bush will ride into the sunset forever, and ever, and .....
Not so fast...
I guess you gang are the same ones (a la Mark Penn) going around saying that President Hillary is an inevitability. As if saying it makes it so. That's the real joke around here. But if you happen to be right this time (even a broken clock gets it right twice a day), why would we Virginians--a relatively conservative bunch when compared Hillary--want to assist Hillary with two...count 'em....two Democrat Rubber Stamps? Let's have a little balance, shall we?
Former Gov. Gilmore for senator.
Correction!Former Gov. Gilmore for Senate janitor.
Former Gov. Gilmore for senator.
Why?
Warner will carry the democrat and moderate/independent vote, and the pro-business republicans will switch to Warner in droves. What does that leave for Gilmore? Not much. He'll be lucky to get 40% of the vote. Virginia republican leaders shoot themselves in the foot - again.
De Ja Vu All Over Again?
Is this the best the GOP in Virginia can deliver as a Senate candidate? This election is game over. Why blow millions on campaign consultants, TV advertising, print media, push polling, phone banks, sycophants and hangers on. Gilmore's record is pitiful. He needs to go back where he came from. His time is over. If it wasn't for the presidential election I'd sleep late Tuesday morning on election day. No car tax? You mean the car tax I continue to pay every year while friends living in neighboring states have never heard of a Car Tax.
The flatliners and their tired old lies favor Mark(tax)Warner
Mark Warner is the hero of the knee-jerk democrat voter who doesn't handle facts very well.Losing in half the races he's ever been in(2),then serving a whole 4 years in public office.Has anyone ever served in public office longer?Has anyone ever been elected to more than one job in public office?Has any governor ever managed to serve his term without the largest tax increase in Virginia history?Not according to Mark(tax)Warner's ideal voter.As far as what he did in office,name some contact with the state that didn't cost you quite a bit more of your money by the time he left office.If you are a car owner,inspections,titling fees,licenses;all cost a great deal more post Mark.He never made hard choices,only the most taxing.GREAT candidate.
Republicazn Meltdown...
Under the present methods that the Virginia Republican Party conducts business, Warner is sure to win!!! I used to identify myself as a Republican until I moved to Virginia. Nnow vote for the person, due in large part to how many of the past elections have bene run by both sides in the Commonwealth. If you don't agree with the Republicans they denigrate your character and if you disagree with the Democrats they hire you...
In all honesty, the Republicans are to viciuos to win under their present leadership. I guess I will vote for Mr. Warner again as the only reasonable canidate for senate and believe many of my fellow Virginia Republicans will also...
Roger A. Leonard, MPA
A Blessed Day for Warner!
This has to be a prank. Anyone not familiar with the Governor Gilmore days please do reasearch before you vote. Mark Warner was an amazing Governor and he will make an equally amazing Senator. Governor Gilmore, please do the right thing and drop out of the race now.
Remember Military Retirees
Gilmore was the Attorney General when the Federal Courts ordered the State to refund the the state taxes that were taken from military retirees and not state retirees. Gilmore claimed it would bankrupt the State and only offered .10 on the dollar. The state ended up giving state retirees a pay raise to cover the state taxes they now had to pay. Plus no one will ever forget the car tax fiasco. Be careful of what you wish for you just might get it.
A belated birthday gift
This has got to be a belated birthday gift, the man who ran Virginia's finances in the ground now wants to be a senator. A year from now we will have a Warner/Webb team representing Virginia. That really pleases me.
Senator Gilmore?...
Senator Gilmore? Has to be one of the better jokes I've heard in a while. A long while!
Does Gilmore Have Amnesia???
It seems Gilmore has forgotten what his approval rating was during the last part of his term as Governor...an overwhelming majority of the Commonwealth's residents (not to mention his own party) was ready for anyone's hands other than Gilmore's to be at the wheel. It will be interesting to see how he tries to reinvent himself. He certainly cannot claim to be a "fiscal conservative" (as most GOP candidates claim) because he wrecked the Commonwealth's finances during his tenure as Governor. That will probably leave him to claim he is a "moral conservative" which, to no surprise, would then have Virginia Beach's village idiot (Pat Robertson) supporting him.
Great News!
Gilmore has no chance. Looking forward to a Senator Mark Warner and Webb combo. Suddenly the clouds have parted and I can see nothing but blue.
"Warner will do a good job"
I'd like to quote a friend that's a strong Republican. When talking about Mark Warner, she said "I didn't vote for him but he was a good governor. He will do a good job as senator, too". I think that about sums up the opinions of many Republicans. They may not admit it, but they know Mark Warner is a good man for any job.
This may also be a sign of the Republican Party conceding the election to Warner already, and just putting up a good fight. Save the better candidates for elections they have a chance of winning.
The sad fact
Gilmor thinks he has a chance. It will never happen his days of being an elected anything in Virginia are totally over. Gilmore should go find something else to do, whatever that is.
Thank God! Another U.S. Senate seat for the Democrats!
I thought the republicans might actually be able to come up with someone who could beat Mark Warner. Not even the rural, uneducated backwaters of this state will get this loser elected. Get ready for a typical republican campaign. Gilmore has no record to run on - at least not one you'd brag about - so he'll be slinging mud right out of the box. And the usual cast of anti-everything nut jobs will be singing his praises.
Mr. Gilmore, you are correct.......
Our leaders have let us down and we need new hands on the wheel........but certainly not another rubber stamp republican and certainly not you. I am so sorry, but you don't have a chance against Mark Warner; save your money and don't waste our time with the rhetoric.
I'll vote Gilmore
He kept his promise to lower taxes while Warner broke his promise and gave us one of the largest tax increases in Virginia. Besides, do we really want a Mark Warner and Jim Webb team to represent the interests of Virginia in the Senate?