Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, R-Va., announced on Tuesday that he is joining the crowd of candidates running for the Republican presidential nomination. Gilmore told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he plans to launch his bid in early August and said the current crop of Republican hopefuls were ignoring homeland security matters.
"I don't think we're addressing the threat to the country," Gilmore told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "I bring to the table experience that others don't have."
Gilmore served in the Army and worked in military intelligence during the 1970s. After serving as Virginia attorney general, Gilmore was elected governor in 1997 and was at that post during the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. During his term as governor, Gilmore focused on reducing taxes and fees on cars and on education reform.
On the international front, Gilmore chaired Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction which presented reports to both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush from 1999-2003. Gilmore led the Republican National Committee (RNC) in 2001.
Since his single term in Richmond, Gilmore has made two unsuccessful bids for federal office. In April 2007, Gilmore entered the Republican presidential primaries but pulled the plug on his bid less than three months later due to fundraising difficulties. In the 2008 election cycle, Gilmore turned his focus to running for the U.S. Senate after longtime U.S. Sen. John Warner, R-Va., announced he was retiring. Conservatives came close to denying Gilmore the Republican nomination at the state convention and, in the general election, the former governor was trounced by Democrat Mark Warner, losing 65 percent to 34 percent.
Since then, Gilmore has remained active in political affairs, serving as president and CEO of the conservative Free Congress and working on homeland security issues. Gilmore sits on the board of directors of the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Gilmore adds to an already crowded field. Besides Gilmore, Republicans currently running for their party’s presidential nomination include: former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida; Dr. Ben Carson; Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey; U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas; former IRS Commissioner Mark Everson; businesswoman Carly Fiorina; U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina; former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas; Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana; Gov. John Kasich of Ohio; former Gov. George Pataki of New York; U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky; former Gov. Rick Perry of Texas; U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida; former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania; businessman Donald Trump; and Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin.
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