Gillespie’s close call a sign for moderate Republicans
RICHMOND, Va. — Ed Gillespie’s shocking near-defeat in the Virginia GOP primary for governor Tuesday highlights a hard truth for centrist Republicans in the age of President Donald Trump: keep too much of a distance from the president and his supporters will make you pay.
The former Republican National Committee chairman largely tried to avoid talking about Trump in his primary contest with Corey Stewart, a former Trump state campaign chairman who many viewed as a fringe candidate because of his focus on preserving Confederate history. Gillespie was expected to win handily, thanks to broad support among the party’s elected leaders and a massive fundraising edge, but instead won by an uncomfortably close single percentage point.
Stewart said the razor-thin margin carries a clear message for Gillespie in the general election.
“If he wants to win, he’s got to embrace the president. It’s really that simple,” said Stewart, who is chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.