EXCLUSIVE…. BREAKING NOW….
Reliable sources are stating that former RNC and RPV Chairman Ed Gillespie will indeed be throwing his hat into the race for Virginia Governor in 2017, after State Senator Mark Obenshain has declined to seek the gubernatorial nod.
MORE AS IT DEVELOPS…
UPDATE: Two sources have independently confirmed, one very close to the Gillespie circle.
This is happening, folks.
UPDATE x2: Travis Fain with the Daily Press is next with the story:
State Sen. Mark Obenshain won’t get into the 2017 governor’s race, political director Nick Collette confirmed this afternoon.
Obenshain, who lost an oh-so-close race for attorney general two years ago, was widely expected to make the run.
More as it develops…
UPDATE x3: Washington Post chimes in as well:
“I hope Ed Gillespie will run,” Obenshain said. “You can quote me on that. I’ll wait to hear from him what his intentions are, but I sure hope he runs.”
Wink. Nod.
You get the point.
UPDATE x4: Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire is a news resource with integrity:
Former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie (R) will run for Virginia governor in 2017, Bearing Drift reports.
…because they cite their source. Solid folks, they are.
UPDATE x5: Of course, loyal Bearing Drift readers knew this was coming, as our very own Norm Leahy speculated on this in early September:
The conventional wisdom is that Gillespie has Tim Kaine on his mind and that it’s Mark Obenshain who is the putative frontrunner for the gubernatorial nomination.
Perhaps. But looking at the numbers, looking at history, looking at Ralph Northam…2017 may be too winnable for Gillespie to pass by.
The announcement (perhaps) does not surprise most seasoned observers of the Virginia political environment. The timing was all that was seriously in doubt… though it must be said and should be repeated: Obenshain did not have to bow out, and Gillespie would not push him out.
Today’s decision was entirely Mark Obenshain’s call to make. Quite a contrast from the Cuccinelli era.
UPDATE x6: Jumping into the Wayback Machine, Public Policy Polling (PPP) conducted a poll with various contenders for the nomination back in June 2015.
Question 13, page 10:
Q13 If the candidates for Governor next time were Republican Ed Gillespie and Democrat Ralph Northam, who would you vote for?
Ed Gillespie …………………………………………….. 37%
Ralph Northam …………………………………………30%
Not sure …………………………………………………….32%
Against Cuccinelli? That lead slices to a mere 2 point lead for the Republican. Obenshain wins with 4 points. Cantor also stood at 2 points.
Not tough to see where the tea leaves are on this one. Gillespie is clearly the best card to play vs. Northam.
