GOVERNOR

Ed Gillespie

Ed Gillespie, 56, of Alexandria, former chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia and the Republican National Committee, is the GOP contender for governor.

He owns Quinn Gillespie & Associates, a bipartisan lobbying firm he started with Jack Quinn. Gillespie once served as a counselor to former President George W. Bush. He was also an advisor for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign.

In addition to the lobbying firm, Gillespie founded his own political strategy firm, Ed Gillespie Strategies. Along with Karl Rove, he founded Crossroads GPS, a political advocacy group. Gillespie was an aide to former House Majority Leader Dick Armey.

A native of Mount Holly Township in New Jersey, he holds a bachelor’s degree from The Catholic University of America. In 2014, he was the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, losing to incumbent Democrat Mark Warner.

“It’s time for a plan to get Virginia growing again with across-the-board polic...