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Edward Walter Gillespie (born August 1, 1961) is an American politician, strategist, and lobbyist who served as the sixty-first chair of the Republican National Committee from 2003 to 2005 and was counselor to the president from 2007 to 2009 during the presidency of George W. Bush. In 2012, Gillespie was a senior member of the Mitt Romney presidential campaign.

Key Information

Gillespie founded the bipartisan[1] lobbying firm Quinn Gillespie & Associates with Jack Quinn, and founded Ed Gillespie Strategies.

Gillespie ran in the 2014 United States Senate election in Virginia. Gillespie narrowly lost to incumbent Mark Warner by a margin of 0.8%.[2] Gillespie ran for governor of Virginia in the 2017 election. After winning the Republican primary, he was defeated in the general election by Democratic nominee Ralph Northam; Gillespie received 1.17 million votes (45%) to Northam's 1.40 million (54%) in the election.[3][4][5]

In 2020, Gillespie was hired by AT&T to serve as senior executive vice president for external and legislative affairs.[6] Previously, he served as co-chairman of Sard Verbinnen & Co.'s public affairs practice.[7]

Early life

[edit]

Edward Walter Gillespie was born on August 1, 1961, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, and raised in the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township, New Jersey.[8] He is the son of Conny (Carroll) and Sean (later John) Patrick Gillespie, an immigrant from Ireland who grew up in North Philadelphia.[9][10] His parents owned a small grocery store in New Jersey, and Gillespie worked there after school.[11]

Gillespie is a graduate of The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and Pemberton Township High School. While at CUA he began his career on Capitol Hill as a U.S. Senate parking lot attendant. One of his co-workers there was an intern for Representative Andy Ireland of Florida, and through him, Gillespie got the same job after he graduated from college.[12]

Political career

[edit]

Gillespie, raised in a Democratic family, began his political career as intern for Andy Ireland, at the time a Democrat from Florida. In 1984, Ireland joined the Republican party with Gillespie following, saying, "I liked President Reagan's approach to governing and it just made sense to me."[13] In his book, Winning Right, Gillespie described himself as someone who "all but had 'Democrat' stamped on his birth certificate," but had become increasingly uncomfortable with the leftward tilt of the national party and believed it wasn't taking the threat of Communism seriously. As he saw it, he and Ireland were classic Reagan Democrats who became Republicans–"a southern conservative and a young northeastern ethnic Catholic who no longer felt comfortable in the party of their heritage."[14]

Gillespie worked as telephone solicitor for the Republican National Committee in 1985, and later worked for a decade as a top aide to former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX), and was a principal drafter of the GOP's 1994 "Contract With America."[15][16]

In 1996, Gillespie served as communications director for the RNC.[16] In 1999, Gillespie worked as the Press Secretary for the Presidential campaign of John Kasich until his withdrawal from the race and endorsement of George W. Bush.[16] In 2000, Gillespie served as senior communications advisor for the presidential campaign of Bush, organizing the party convention program in Philadelphia for Bush's nomination and Bush's inauguration ceremony. He played an aggressive role as spokesman for the Bush campaign during the vote recount in Florida.[16] In 2002, he was a strategist for Elizabeth Dole's 2002 Senate campaign.[13]

Lobbyist

[edit]

In 1997, Gillespie joined the lobbying firm BGR Group (Barbour, Griffith & Rogers), and advised Senate Republicans during the impeachment of Bill Clinton.[16]

In 2000, Gillespie founded the lobbying firm Quinn Gillespie & Associates with Jack Quinn, and within a year had an income of $8.5 million and was 11th on Fortune's list of the most powerful lobbying firms in the US.[16] One of the firm's clients was Enron, which paid it $1,225,000, including $700,000 to lobby the Department of Energy and the Executive Office of the President to resist efforts to re-regulate the western electricity market during the California Electricity Crisis.[17][16][18] Gillespie has said that he was unaware of Enron's deceptive accounting practices.[19] By the end of 2002, Quinn Gillespie & Associates had received $27.4 million in lobbying fees.[20]

In 2007, Quinn Gillespie & Associates represented more than 100 clients.[19] The firm lobbied on behalf of AT&T, Bank of America, and Microsoft in the years 2001–2007, earning more than $3.2 million.[19] In 2016, the firm reported $17.2 million in revenue from federal lobbying.[19] The firm pitched to potential clients that Gillespie, due to his involvement with the White House and association with individuals in power, could leverage those relationships to benefit clients.[19]

In 2016, Gillespie lobbied on behalf of the health insurance company Anthem, as the nation's second-largest insurance firm tried to merge with third-largest insurance firm Cigna.[19] A federal judge blocked the mergers, citing insurance regulators who said the merger would raise costs and reduce competition in the health insurance market.[19]

Gillespie shut down his lobbying firm Ed Gillespie Strategies shortly before launching his campaign for governor in January 2017.[19]

The conservative government watchdog Judicial Watch said that Gillespie's ties to corporations may pose a conflict of interest for him as governor, and that this is a "nonpartisan concern".[19] Gillespie's former clients Anthem, AT&T, Microsoft, and Bank of America have ongoing interests in the state of Virginia, and these corporations or their top executives have donated to the Gillespie 2017 campaign.[19] Gillespie voluntarily released the list of his clients, disclosing more than is required by state law.[19]

Chairmanships of the RNC and Republican Party of Virginia

[edit]

In 2003, Gillespie was selected as chairman of the RNC, serving in that role through the 2004 elections that saw President Bush win re-election and Republicans retain control of the House and Senate.[13] He did not give up his stake in the lobbying firm when he took that job, which caused controversy.[12] During the campaign, he was regularly referred to as "President Bush's pit bull."[21]

After his chairmanship ended, in 2005 Bush appointed Gillespie to lead the process to nominate a successor to Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court; that process led to the selection and confirmation of Samuel Alito.[22][23][24] Gillespie also worked alongside former senator Fred Thompson the same year as one of two confirmation "sherpas" to John Roberts during his nomination process. Sherpas are advisors tasked with guiding a Supreme Court nominee through the rigors of the confirmation process.[25] Gillespie's book Winning Right was released in September 2006.[14]

Gillespie served as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia from December 2006 to June 2007. In the 2006 Virginia Senate elections he served as spokesman for defeated Virginia Senator George Allen. He had been tapped by Allen as a political adviser for a possible presidential run in 2008 before that loss. In February 2009, Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell announced that Gillespie would serve as general chairman of his campaign for governor. Gillespie has served as an adviser to American Crossroads.[26]

White House counselor

[edit]
Gillespie working as White House Counselor, 2008

In late June 2007, President Bush brought Gillespie into the White House on a full-time basis, to replace the departing counselor to the president Dan Bartlett with the mandate to help raise Bush's flagging popularity ratings. When Karl Rove also departed in August, The Washington Post described Gillespie as stepping up to do part of Rove's job in the White House.[27] A later Post article described Gillespie's role orchestrating a PR unit dedicated to "selling the surge to American voters and the media."[28]

Later in 2007, the Washington Post reported that Gillespie had taken a substantial pay cut to become Bush's counselor. "A disclosure form shows he made nearly $1.3 million in salary and bonus in the previous 18 months at his consulting and public affairs firm . . . His annual government salary is $168,000. The form, obtained by the Associated Press, reports that Gillespie . . . a former Capitol Hill aide who co-founded his lobbying shop in 2000 . . . has accumulated a fortune estimated to be between $7.86 million and $19.4 million."[29]

Post-White House

[edit]

In 2009, Gillespie was the chairman of Bob McDonnell's successful campaign for governor of Virginia.[30]

In January 2010, Gillespie was announced in as the national chairman of the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), which helps elect state attorneys general, lieutenant governors, secretaries of state and state house and senate candidates. After Gillespie was announced chairman the RSLC is reported to have laundered $1.5 million from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to Alabama Speaker Mike Hubbard and a group associated with Jack Abramoff.[31] From January 2010 to January 2014 the RSLC paid Gilespie $654,000.[31] Gillespie was not legally listed as the RSLC chairman until February 2011, when the organization filed updated documents with the IRS.[31]

In 2010, together with Republican strategist Karl Rove, Ed Gillespie helped get the Super Pac American Crossroads "off the ground."[32][33] The organization's goal was to supplement campaign spending for Republicans, independently of the Republican party. '"Obama had $1.1 billion in 2008," says Gillespie.."John McCain and his supporters spent $634 million. That's a sizable gap." American Crossroads, he boasts, will be the place where the real money goes to "play."'[34]

In April 2012, Gillespie became a senior advisor to Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.[35]

2014 U.S. Senate run

[edit]
Main article: 2014 United States Senate election in Virginia

In December 2013, Gillespie told Politico that he was considering a first-time political run in 2014 against Mark Warner, a popular Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator in Virginia.[36]

In January 2014, he officially launched his candidacy.[37] He named Chris Leavitt, campaign manager of Mark Obenshain's 2013 run for Virginia Attorney general, his campaign manager.[38] On June 7, 2014, he became the Republican nominee after receiving about 60% of the vote at the state party convention.[39]

Although Warner had been consistently leading Gillespie by double-digit margins in polls before October, Gillespie nearly upset Warner on Election Day, losing by a margin of just 0.8% and 17,723 votes, with 37% turnout.[2] Gillespie conceded the race on November 7, 2014.[40]

2017 gubernatorial run

[edit]
Main article: 2017 Virginia gubernatorial election

Speculation began immediately after Gillespie's narrow 2014 loss that he would run for Governor of Virginia in 2017.[40] In October 2015, Gillespie confirmed reports that he was preparing to run for governor in 2017.[3] He officially declared his candidacy in November 2016.[41] Gillespie was considered the favorite to win the Republican nomination.[42]

On June 13, 2017, Gillespie narrowly defeated his primary opponent Corey Stewart to win the Republican nomination for governor and was set to face incumbent lieutenant governor Ralph Northam, the Democratic nominee, in the November general election.[4]

In the 2017 gubernatorial campaign up to June 2017, Gillespie ran as an establishment Republican and focused on economic issues rather than social issues.[43][44] According to The New York Times in July 2017, Gillespie "sought to strike a delicate balance when pressed about Mr. Trump, who is highly unpopular here. He refused to say Mr. Trump's name, but warned that Mr. Northam, a Democrat, risked hurting Virginia's economy—which relies greatly on the federal government—by attacking the president so fiercely."[45] According to CNN, even though Gillespie has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, the "endorsement isn't mentioned anywhere on Gillespie's campaign website or his social media pages. Gillespie doesn't discuss Trump unless he's prompted to do so. He doesn't criticize the President, but he also doesn't make an effort to embrace him, either."[46] In October 2017, Vice President Mike Pence held a joint rally with Gillespie.[47] According to The New York Times, the Gillespie campaign preferred Pence's involvement in the race over Trump's.[48]

In August 2017, The Washington Post reported that Gillespie hired Jack Morgan, an operative in the Trump 2016 campaign for president.[49] Morgan has made controversial statements, such as saying that the country is on the brink of civil war and that communists are behind efforts to remove confederate monuments.[49] Morgan had earlier in 2017 called Gillespie a "lobbyist" and said that it would be a "disaster" to elect him governor.[49] According to The New York Times, even though the Gillespie campaign distanced itself from Trump the person, it sought to motivate voters with the same "culturally and racially tinged appeals" of the Trump 2016 campaign.[48] Most of Gillespie's ad spending has gone towards commercials on confederate monuments and illegal immigration.[48] In October 2017, former president Barack Obama took what The Washington Post described as "the unusual step" of criticizing Gillespie over his use of ads on Latino gang violence which he said sowed fear and were "as cynical as politics gets".[50]

After the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Gillespie condemned the far-right protestors, saying, "[We] reject the people who came in, largely from outside our Commonwealth, and brought their hate, their white supremacism, their neo-Nazism with them."[51] After Donald Trump's controversial comment that there were "fine people on both sides," Gillespie said there was "no moral comparison between white supremacists and 'those that show up to condemn them for espousing that kind of hate-filled speech.'[51]

Gillespie criticized Northam for casting the deciding "no" vote to stop a Republican bill which would have banned sanctuary cities in Virginia. During the campaign, Gillespie and Trump accused Northam of being responsible for the increased activities of the MS-13 gangs and of being "in favor of sanctuary cities that let dangerous illegal immigrants back on the streets"[52][53] and that this contributed to the surge in MS-13 violence; a notion that FactCheck.org found to be "misleading".[52] The Washington Post and CNN noted that there are no actual sanctuary cities in Virginia[53][54] and The Washington Post editorial board condemned the ads in an editorial called "Gillespie's ads are poisonous to Virginia and the nation".[55] Gillespie himself acknowledged that Virginia did not have sanctuary cities.[53] The Washington Post furthermore noted that there is no evidence that sanctuary cities increase crime or gang activity.[56]

In October, the Latino Victory Fund, which supported Northam, released an ad in which a pickup truck, adorned with a Gillespie bumper sticker, a "Don't tread on me" license plate, and a Confederate flag, chases down minority children and corners them in an alley—one of the children in the ad then wakes up, revealing the scene to have been a nightmare.[57][58] Although Northam and his campaign were not involved with the ad, Northam initially defended it, saying Gillespie's own ads "have promoted fearmongering, hatred, bigotry, racial divisiveness," and adding, "I mean, it's upset a lot of communities, and they have the right to express their views as well."[59] The ad was pulled the following day in the hours after a terrorist attack in New York City, in which a man killed several people by running them over with a truck.[59][60] Northam then distanced himself from the ad, re-emphasizing that it was not released by his campaign and saying that it is not one that he would have chosen to run.[61] A spokesman for the campaign has said that the Latino Victory Fund's decision to pull the ad was "appropriate and the right thing to do."[59] FOX 5 DC reported that the Northam campaign had accepted $62,000 as an in-kind media contribution from the Latino Victory Fund.[62]

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, as of November 5, Northam had raised $33.8 million to Gillespie's $24.5 million.[63]

In October 2017, National Review posted an analysis of the Gillespie campaign as an important example of whether and how mainstream Republican politics, represented by Gillespie, can produce victories in a purple state in the "era of Trumpism", and said that the outcome would effect Republican strategies in future races.[64]

Gillespie received 1.17 million votes (45%) to Northam's 1.40 million (54%) in the election.

Political positions

[edit]

The New York Times reported in 2014 that Gillespie had "ties to both Republican grass-roots and establishment wings."[65]

Abortion

[edit]

In January 2017 he participated in the anti-abortion March for Life.[66] Gillespie said he would support a ban on late-term abortions after 20 weeks in Virginia, with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or pregnancies that endanger the life of the mother.[67] Gillespie was endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee in his 2017 run for governor.[68]

Gillespie pledged to sign legislation to defund Planned Parenthood; Governor Terry McAuliffe vetoed such legislation.[69]

Confederate monuments

[edit]

In August 2017, Gillespie signed a petition opposing the removal of Confederate monuments in Virginia. Gillespie said that removing the monuments was an attempt to erase history.[70] In a September 2017 gubernatorial debate, Gillespie said that the statues were history and could be used to teach people about slavery in the South.[71] He said a better remedy would be to erect statues honoring people like Douglas Wilder, a former Virginia governor who was the nation's first African-American to be elected governor.[71]

Economy

[edit]

In September 2017 Gillespie called for a 10 percent across-the-board income tax cut.[72][73]

Education

[edit]

Gillespie has called for the expansion of publicly funded schools that are operated privately.[69]

Energy and environment

[edit]

In a debate in 2014, Gillespie was asked by his opponent if he thought there was enough evidence to support climate change. Gillespie at first dodged the question but when pressed again, answered, "I believe there is ample scientific evidence that contributes to climate change but I'm not entirely dismissive of those who have a different point of view."[74]

In September 2017 Gillespie supported President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.[75] Gillespie supported President Trump's decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to reduce emissions from coal-burning power plants.[47] Gillespie opposes efforts at the state level to limit carbon emissions.[69][76] Gillespie opposes Virginia joining a so-called "state climate alliance" to mitigate the effects of climate change.[69][76] Gillespie supports offshore drilling.[69]

In 2014 and 2017 he voiced support for the Keystone Pipeline, Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and Mountain Valley Pipeline and criticized federal regulations that "[slow] down the development of energy infrastructure."[77]

Ethics laws

[edit]

In his 2017 gubernatorial campaign, Gillespie pledged to push a ban on candidates using campaign funds for personal expenses, to require administration officials to wait at least two years before lobbying their prior office, and to require more frequent disclosures of potential conflicts of interest.[78][79] He also proposed prohibiting candidates from using funds raised for one campaign in a campaign for a different office; prohibiting fundraising during special legislative sessions; and live-streaming certain public cabinet meetings and all agency and board meetings.[78] In response to criticism of his lobbying history, Gillespie's campaign said he and his wife would place their assets in a blind trust and that he would be "an honest, ethical, principled, hard-working, faithful servant-leader worthy of Virginia."[79]

Guns

[edit]

Gillespie has called for rescinding legislation that banned members of the public from carrying firearms in state government buildings.[69] Gillespie is open to the idea of banning bump stocks, which allow a semi-automatic firearm to fire in rapid succession.[69][80]

Health care

[edit]

In 2014, Gillespie said that he was opposed to the 2010 Affordable Care Act (commonly called Obamacare), criticizing it for its "negative impacts" and stating that he would "repeal and replace it."[81] In 2017, Gillespie said that he opposed Medicaid expansion and said that Virginia should create an interstate compact allowing insurance providers to sell health insurance plans across state lines.[69]

Immigration

[edit]

In July and August 2017, Gillespie said that he opposes "sanctuary cities", which adopt policies designed to not prosecute people solely for being undocumented.[82][83] In February 2017, he supported a bill that would prohibit localities in Virginia from enacting sanctuary policies.[84] He has campaigned on tougher immigration enforcement.[82]

In September 2017, Gillespie said that he supported Donald Trump's executive order to ban immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries.[75] That same month, Gillespie, after initially declining to take a stance on Trump's decision to rescind Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—which gives temporary stay to some unauthorized immigrants who came to the United States as minors—Gillespie said that he did not "believe that children should be punished for decisions that were not their own, but at the same time, it is important for us to enforce our laws".[85]

Shortly after the Trump administration announced that it would rescind Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Gillespie said that "dreamers" should not be deported.[85]

In his 2006 book, Winning Right, Gillespie wanted to offer temporary work visas to undocumented workers in the US.[86] Asked in 2017 if he still held that view, Gillespie said he did.[48]

LGBT rights

[edit]

In 2004, as chairman of the RNC, Gillespie opposed same-sex marriage and supported the Republican platform plank in support of constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. In 2014, as a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Gillespie renounced this position, saying he no longer supported such an amendment.[87]

In September 2017 he said he would oppose any legislation that would dictate which bathrooms that transgender individuals could use, such as the controversial North Carolina Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act.[88] Earlier, in January 2017, Gillespie did not take a firm position when the Virginia General Assembly was considering a bathroom bill, opting instead to criticize the Obama administration for mandating that public schools allow transgender students to use the restrooms of their choice while saying that localities should decide on the issue.[88]

Marijuana

[edit]

Gillespie opposes marijuana decriminalization because it "sends the wrong signal" to young people.[89][69] Gillespie has called for changing the punishment for marijuana possession so that no criminal charges would be filed on the first two occasions that someone is caught with marijuana, but that the third time should carry criminal charges because by then "you really should know better."[89][69]

Redistricting

[edit]

In a 2017 gubernatorial debate with Ralph Northam, in response to a question about redistricting following the 2020 Census, Gillespie said that experience in other states showed that it was "hard to take the politics out of politics."[90]

Restoration of rights

[edit]

Gillespie favors restoring voting rights to felons "who have paid their debt to society and are living an honest life" but opposes a blanket restoration of rights to all felons.[91][92] In the final weeks of the 2017 gubernatorial campaign, Gillespie began running an ad criticizing Democrats for restoring voting rights to more than 200,000 felons, including John Bowen, whose rights were restored based on his completing sentence for an earlier conviction while he was awaiting trial on a new charge of possessing one of the largest child pornography collections in Virginia's history.[93][92]

Personal life

[edit]

Gillespie met his wife Cathy at a congressional softball game and together[94] they have a son and two daughters.[15]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ed Gillespie

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Edward Walter Gillespie (born August 1, 1961) is an American political strategist, lobbyist, and Republican operative known for his roles in key party leadership positions and campaign efforts. Gillespie began his career in Republican politics as to Congressman and contributed to the 1994 Contract with America, a legislative agenda that helped secure Republican majorities in Congress. He later served as communications director for the under Chairman before co-founding Quinn Gillespie & Associates, a prominent and public affairs firm. As RNC chairman from 2003 to 2005, Gillespie oversaw the reelection of President , retention of the House, and expansion of the Senate majority, marking the first such GOP sweep in over eight decades. In 2007, he joined the as , advising on communications and strategy until 2009. Gillespie founded his own consulting firm and has represented major corporations through , including stints at as senior executive vice president for government and regulatory affairs. His 2017 bid for Virginia governor against Democrat ended in a narrow defeat, with Gillespie garnering 1,224,351 votes (45%) to Northam's 1,797,519 (53.9%), amid national attention on the state's shifting political dynamics. Throughout his career, Gillespie has emphasized , focusing on , , and electoral competitiveness for the Republican Party.

Early Life and Education

Upbringing and Family Background

Edward Walter Gillespie was raised in Pemberton Township, New Jersey, in a working-class family of Irish descent. His father, an immigrant from County Donegal, Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1929 at age eight amid economic hardship, eventually settling in North Philadelphia before the family relocated to New Jersey and opened a small grocery store known as the JC Market. Gillespie grew up assisting in the family business, which instilled early lessons in entrepreneurship and self-reliance. His mother was Irish Catholic and a Democrat, while his father initially aligned with the Democratic Party but shifted to Independent status during the Jimmy Carter administration, citing adverse impacts of federal policies on small-business owners. The household emphasized traditional values, including regular family discussions on current events, though political engagement remained moderate rather than ideological.

Academic and Early Professional Influences

Gillespie attended Pemberton Township High School in , before enrolling at The Catholic University of America in , where he earned a degree in 1983. While a student at Catholic University, Gillespie secured his initial Capitol Hill position, working part-time as a legislative aide, which exposed him to congressional operations and policy formulation amid the early Reagan administration's conservative shift. This academic environment, rooted in Catholic intellectual traditions emphasizing ethics and social issues, aligned with his family's pro-life Democratic leanings while fostering an appreciation for Reagan-era economic policies, as reflected in his later advocacy for tax cuts. His entry into professional politics began with an internship for Democratic Congressman Andy Ireland of Florida, whose 1984 switch to the Republican Party—motivated by fiscal conservatism and opposition to certain Democratic positions—profoundly influenced Gillespie's own ideological evolution from a Democratic upbringing toward Republican principles. Following Ireland's party change, Gillespie transitioned to roles supporting Republican lawmakers, serving as a top aide to Dick Armey (R-TX) from 1985 to 1996, where he honed skills in legislative strategy and communications during the GOP's congressional resurgence. These early experiences under Armey, who rose to House Majority Leader in 1995, instilled a focus on free-market policies and limited government, shaping Gillespie's subsequent career in party leadership and advocacy.

Lobbying and Consulting Career

Early Lobbying Roles

Gillespie's professional entry into lobbying occurred in 1997, when he joined the Washington, D.C.-based firm Barbour Griffith & Rogers (BGR), established by , a former chairman. At BGR, he functioned as a lobbyist, drawing on his prior experience in Republican communications and roles, including service as communications director for the RNC from 1996 to 1997. During this time, he provided strategic advice to Senate Republicans amid the impeachment trial of President . Concurrently, Gillespie served as president and CEO of Policy Impact Communications, a and entity affiliated with BGR and focused on policy advocacy and communications services. This role emphasized his expertise in messaging for corporate and associational clients seeking legislative influence. In , federal lobbying disclosures show Gillespie actively representing BGR clients such as the Catholic Health Association of the United States on healthcare policy matters and the of on territorial issues. Through Policy Impact Communications, he also lobbied for the , advancing interests in hospital funding and regulatory reforms. These engagements highlighted his early specialization in healthcare and sectors, where he utilized connections from his congressional and party work to facilitate client objectives on .

Quinn Gillespie & Associates and Key Clients

Quinn Gillespie & Associates (QGA) was established in 2000 as a bipartisan and public affairs firm by Edward Gillespie, a Republican strategist, and Jack Quinn, a Democrat and former under President . The firm provided strategic consulting, advocacy, communications services, and lobbying representation to corporate and clients across various sectors, including , , and consumer goods. In its inaugural year, QGA contracted with 32 clients and generated $7,522,500 in lobbying revenue, establishing itself as a prominent Washington, D.C., player. Key clients of QGA during Gillespie's tenure included telecommunications leader , for which he personally maintained a consulting relationship exceeding 20 years, advising on policy and regulatory matters. Other significant clients encompassed , Verizon, and in the technology and telecom space; and in consumer products; and DirectTV, Sony, and PricewaterhouseCoopers across media, electronics, and professional services. These engagements often involved advocacy on issues such as , taxation, and regulatory , reflecting the firm's bipartisan leverage in a divided . In December 2003, WPP Group acquired QGA's business and assets for an undisclosed sum, integrating it into the conglomerate's portfolio while preserving its independent operations and client base; the firm reported $12.5 million in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2002. Gillespie continued as co-chairman until 2007, when he transitioned to the as Counselor to President , after which QGA operated as QGA Public Affairs under WPP until winding down most activities around 2017.

Republican Party Leadership

Chairman of the Republican National Committee (2003–2005)

Ed Gillespie was selected by President to serve as chairman of the (RNC) in June 2003, succeeding , who transitioned to lead the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign. He was formally elected to the position by the RNC in July 2003. Gillespie's appointment aimed to bolster party coordination with the amid preparations for the 2004 elections, leveraging his prior experience as a communications director for the Republican-led . During his tenure, Gillespie focused on unifying Republican messaging and defending the administration against criticism, earning a reputation as President Bush's "" for his aggressive rhetorical style in media appearances and public statements. He emphasized , urging Republicans in to align with Bush's agenda despite internal setbacks, such as resistance to certain administration priorities. As RNC chairman, Gillespie coordinated closely with the Bush-Cheney campaign on voter outreach and resource allocation, contributing to a that prioritized turnout in battleground states and . Gillespie's leadership coincided with Republican successes in the 2004 elections, marking the first time since 1928 that a GOP national chairman oversaw victories in the presidential race, , and simultaneously. President Bush secured reelection with 286 electoral votes and 50.7% of the popular vote, while Republicans expanded their Senate majority to 55 seats and maintained control of the with a net gain of three seats. Bush publicly commended Gillespie for expanding the party's appeal and attracting new supporters through effective communication of conservative principles. Gillespie resigned as RNC chairman on November 15, 2004, shortly after the elections, to facilitate a transition to Ken Mehlman, Bush's choice for the role heading into the next cycle. His tenure, lasting through the conclusion of the 2004 cycle, emphasized rebuilding party infrastructure and countering Democratic narratives on issues like the Iraq War and economic policy, though specific fundraising totals under his direct oversight were not isolated in contemporaneous reports beyond the RNC's overall cycle performance integrated with campaign efforts.

Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia (2014)

Ed Gillespie was elected chairman of the on December 2, 2006, following the resignation of Kate Obenshain Griffin after the Republican losses in the 2006 U.S. race and state legislative elections. His selection leveraged his prior experience as chairman of the from 2003 to 2005, aiming to stabilize and reorganize the state party amid internal divisions and electoral setbacks, including Senator George Allen's defeat amid controversy. During his tenure, Gillespie emphasized unifying party factions, enhancing , and bolstering operations to position Republicans for recovery in Virginia's odd-year elections. He served until , 2007, resigning to accept an appointment as in the White House. The short term reflected a transitional role, with subsequent chair facing challenges in maintaining party cohesion leading into the 2007 House of Delegates contests, where Republicans narrowly retained their majority despite Democratic gains. Gillespie's leadership contributed to long-term strategies that aided Republican resurgence, evidenced by Bob McDonnell's gubernatorial victory in 2009.

White House Service

Counselor to the President (2007–2009)

Ed Gillespie was appointed by on June 13, 2007, assuming the role on June 26 and succeeding . In announcing the appointment, Bush described Gillespie as a "seasoned hand" with "excellent judgment" and a proven communicator from prior service in the campaign and recount. The position entailed direct reporting to the president, oversight of communications including speechwriting, press operations, and strategic scheduling, as well as advising on policy messaging and legislative relations amid low approval ratings and challenges from the and domestic issues. Gillespie participated in all presidential meetings and coordinated efforts to shape public narratives for both U.S. and international audiences. In , particularly , Gillespie focused on communicating the progress of the 2007 troop surge after its implementation, organizing daily conference calls among administration officials to defend the strategy and its links to threats. He established a secure video (SVTS) group with military leaders such as Generals Raymond Odierno and Peter Chiarelli to highlight operational successes, supporting General and Ambassador Ryan Crocker's September 2007 congressional testimony on reduced violence and stabilized conditions. This messaging emphasized Bush's decisiveness and troop morale over short-term domestic politics, while considering global implications, as Bush noted adversaries monitored U.S. statements. Efforts included scaling back Bush's public appearances to promote cabinet members like Defense Secretary for credibility on surge outcomes. On domestic fronts, Gillespie's tenure addressed the , where he contributed to crisis management and public explanations of interventions. He helped craft Bush's speech announcing the $700 billion (TARP) in two $350 billion tranches to purchase toxic assets and stabilize markets, participating in meetings with Treasury Secretary , Chairman , and New York Fed President . Gillespie advocated framing TARP around Main Street impacts rather than Wall Street bailouts and supported its passage after an initial rejection on September 29, 2008, amid ongoing negotiations. He also previewed the January 28, 2008, address, highlighting economic assessments and stimulus measures like rebates totaling approximately $152 billion. Gillespie served until January 20, 2009, facilitating a cooperative transition to the Obama administration despite partisan divides.

Political Campaigns

2014 U.S. Senate Campaign

Edward Gillespie announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in on January 16, 2014, challenging incumbent Democratic Senator for re-election. As a former Chairman of the and recent Chairman of the , Gillespie positioned himself as a conservative leader emphasizing opposition to the , tax and regulatory relief, , , and fiscal restraint through spending cuts and budget balancing. Gillespie secured the Republican nomination at the Virginia Republican Party's state convention held on June 7, 2014, in Roanoke, defeating other potential contenders through party delegate support. The campaign targeted suburban voters in areas like Richmond and , focusing on , job creation, and criticism of Warner's alignment with President Obama's policies, including Obamacare implementation. A key debate between Gillespie and Warner occurred on October 13, 2014, hosted by WCVE-TV, where Gillespie highlighted differences on healthcare, energy, and federal overreach. In the general election on November 4, 2014, Warner received 1,073,667 votes (49.1%), while Gillespie garnered 1,055,940 votes (48.3%), with Libertarian Robert Sarvis taking 53,102 votes (2.43%). The narrow margin—less than 1% separating the major-party candidates—reflected strong Republican turnout in key suburbs, nearly delivering an upset in the Democratic-leaning state. Gillespie conceded the race on November 7, 2014, in , stating he would not pursue a recount given the vote gap. The campaign demonstrated Gillespie's organizational prowess, influencing subsequent Republican strategies in by prioritizing data-driven voter outreach and issue-based appeals over national party branding.

2017 Virginia Gubernatorial Campaign

![Ed Gillespie by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg][float-right] Ed Gillespie launched his campaign for the Republican nomination for in early , positioning himself as a pragmatic conservative focused on and . On June 13, , he secured the nomination in the , defeating state Senator Frank Wagner and businessman Fred Gruber with approximately 66% of the vote amid low turnout. Gillespie's general election campaign against Democratic Lieutenant Governor emphasized transportation improvements, proposing to fund highway expansions through public-private partnerships without raising taxes, aiming to address congestion in . He advocated for tax reductions, regulatory reforms to spur business development, and expansion of options including charter schools and education savings accounts. On , Gillespie criticized Northam's support for policies perceived as lenient toward sanctuary jurisdictions, highlighting the threat posed by gang violence in communities; his campaign aired advertisements referencing MS-13's "kill, rape, control" motto and Northam's tie-breaking vote against a bill (HB 2044) requiring local cooperation with federal . The -focused ads drew accusations of fearmongering and racial appeals from Democratic operatives and media outlets, though Gillespie maintained they addressed legitimate public safety concerns linked to Northam's recorded positions, with responsible for multiple murders in suburbs during the period. Gillespie distanced himself from President Trump's agenda early on but received a late endorsement from Trump on , 2017, via tweet, amid tightening polls showing a close race. Three televised debates occurred in September and October, where Gillespie pressed Northam on fiscal issues and , while Northam highlighted Gillespie's ties and past support for moderate reforms. On November 7, 2017, Northam defeated Gillespie in the general , receiving 1,797,519 votes (53.9%) to Gillespie's 1,224,805 (45.0%), a margin of 572,714 votes, with third-party candidates for the remainder; turnout reached about 66% of registered voters, driven by suburban mobilization against Trump-associated messaging. Post-election analyses attributed Northam's victory to strong Democratic base turnout in urban and suburban areas, though Gillespie improved on prior Republican margins in some rural districts, reflecting Virginia's shift toward Democratic dominance in off-year contests despite the state's history of alternating parties.

Post-Campaign Career

Consulting Firm and Private Sector Engagements

Gillespie co-founded the bipartisan lobbying and public affairs firm Quinn Gillespie & Associates in 2000 with , former to President , providing strategic communications, government relations, and lobbying services to corporate clients. The firm represented major corporations, including a long-term consulting relationship with spanning over 20 years by 2020. Other disclosed clients included , for which Gillespie provided merger-related advice in 2016, earning between $50,000 and $250,000, as well as and on similar corporate matters. In 2009, following his White House tenure, Gillespie founded Ed Gillespie Strategies, a specializing in message development, crisis communications, , and strategic advice for companies, CEOs, trade associations, and coalitions. continued as a client of this firm. He shuttered Ed Gillespie Strategies shortly before launching his 2017 Virginia gubernatorial campaign in of that year. Post-2017, Gillespie's private sector engagements included board service with IMGE, a Republican digital consulting firm, starting in June 2018, where he advised on political strategy and operations. His earlier consulting work had generated substantial income from energy sector clients; financial disclosures from 2013 showed earnings of approximately $3 million, including over $1 million from oil and trade associations representing producers and pipelines. These engagements emphasized advocacy on regulatory, merger, and policy issues affecting corporate interests.

Senior Executive Role at AT&T (2020–present)

In April 2020, Edward W. Gillespie was appointed Senior Executive Vice President of External and Legislative Affairs at Services, Inc., a newly created position overseeing the company's global government relations team. Based in , Gillespie leads 's External & Legislative Affairs organization, which advances the company's policy objectives in the U.S. capital and international arenas, including interactions with legislators, regulators, and stakeholders on , , and related issues. He reports directly to CEO and heads the firm's Washington policy operations, drawing on his prior experience in Republican politics and consulting to navigate bipartisan legislative environments. Gillespie's tenure has coincided with key industry developments, such as advocacy for broadband expansion and spectrum policy reforms amid the and subsequent infrastructure legislation. AT&T's federal expenditures under his leadership totaled approximately $13.8 million in 2020, focusing on areas like telecommunications competition, privacy regulations, and , with disclosures reflecting engagements on over 100 bills and issues annually. He has represented in public forums, including discussions on digital equity and deployment, emphasizing market-driven solutions to connectivity challenges. As of the company's 2024 annual report, Gillespie remains in the role, continuing to manage a team responsible for shaping policy in a rapidly evolving tech and media landscape. His appointment leveraged his established networks from prior positions, including as Counselor to President , to bolster AT&T's influence in a politically divided .

Political Ideology and Positions

Economic Policies and Fiscal Conservatism

Gillespie's economic policies center on supply-side incentives, including broad tax reductions and regulatory relief, to promote business investment and job creation. In his 2017 Virginia gubernatorial campaign, he proposed cutting the state's individual rate by 10% across all brackets, from 5.75% to 5.15%, which would have returned an estimated $1.3 billion to taxpayers and provided the average family with nearly $1,300 more annually—the first such rate reduction since Virginia's structure was established in 1972. This flat-rate approach contrasted with progressive critiques claiming disproportionate benefits for higher earners, as the percentage savings applied uniformly regardless of income level. Complementing tax relief, Gillespie advocated deregulating key sectors like and transportation to lower costs for consumers and attract investment, while reforming incentives to prioritize high-growth industries such as and . He positioned these measures as essential for addressing Virginia's lagging growth relative to national averages, arguing that lower taxes and fewer barriers would expand the tax base through increased economic activity rather than rate hikes. On fiscal conservatism, Gillespie committed to offsetting tax cuts through targeted efficiencies, pledging to eliminate wasteful spending without reductions in core areas like or funding. His plan invoked Republican principles of balanced budgets and debt restraint, drawing from his experience advising on federal during the administration, where he supported extensions of capital gains and dividend tax cuts enacted in to spur recovery post-dot-com bust and 9/11 . However, specifics on spending trims remained general, focusing on streamlining government operations rather than broad . This reflected a wary of unchecked deficits, though implementation would have required legislative trade-offs in a divided .

Immigration and Law Enforcement

During his 2014 U.S. Senate campaign and subsequent 2017 gubernatorial bid, Ed Gillespie advocated for stricter enforcement of immigration laws, emphasizing cooperation between state and local authorities with federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He pledged to prohibit sanctuary cities in , arguing that such policies hinder law enforcement's ability to address crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Gillespie's 2017 campaign featured television advertisements highlighting the dangers posed by gang violence in , portraying a "blue wave" of contributing to rising rates in areas like Prince William County, where activity had been documented by local police since the early 2010s. These ads criticized Democratic opponent for supporting measures that Gillespie claimed protected undocumented criminals, including a 2017 state vote where Northam cast the tie-breaking vote against a bill requiring localities to honor detainers. Gillespie positioned his stance as prioritizing public safety over what he described as lenient policies that shielded violent offenders from deportation. On law enforcement more broadly, Gillespie expressed unwavering support for police and , vowing as to bolster their resources and authority to combat gangs, drug trafficking, and other threats, including those tied to illegal border crossings. His platform called for a "just, fair, and redeeming" system that administers penalties equitably while prioritizing victim safety and officer protection, without endorsing sweeping reforms that could undermine police effectiveness. This approach aligned with data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program, which showed spikes in violent gang-related incidents in suburbs during the mid-2010s, often involving transnational groups like MS-13. Earlier in his career, Gillespie had supported elements of comprehensive , including pathways to for certain undocumented individuals as outlined in 2013 bipartisan proposals, a position he maintained as consistent through his 2014 Senate run despite criticisms from restrictionist factions within the Republican Party. By 2017, however, amid heightened national debates over border security following surges in and opioid trafficking, his rhetoric and policy focus shifted toward enforcement-first measures, including endorsement of federal efforts to reduce illegal entries and deport criminal non-citizens. Critics from left-leaning outlets labeled this evolution as opportunistic pandering, but Gillespie defended it as a pragmatic response to verifiable increases in sanctuary-enabled and infiltration.

Second Amendment and Gun Rights

Ed Gillespie has maintained a strong pro-Second Amendment stance, emphasizing the individual right to keep and bear arms as protected by the U.S. Constitution. He has argued that increased gun ownership correlates with declining violent crime rates nationwide. In his 2014 U.S. Senate campaign against , the National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) endorsed Gillespie for his defense of gun owners' rights against federal overreach, including opposition to the Obama administration's agenda. During the 2017 Virginia gubernatorial campaign, the NRA-PVF again endorsed Gillespie and awarded him an "A" rating, highlighting his pledge to oppose "any and all attempts to weaken the Second ." Gillespie positioned himself against expanded restrictions like universal background checks, asserting they risked creating a national gun registry while affirming support for checks on sales by licensed dealers. Following the October 1, 2017, , Gillespie broke with some NRA positions by endorsing restrictions on bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic rifles to simulate automatic fire, calling for their review and potential prohibition. He declined to release his full NRA candidate questionnaire amid scrutiny but reiterated his overall commitment to Second Amendment protections.

Abortion and Traditional Values

Gillespie has maintained a pro-life position throughout his political career, asserting in a 2017 Republican gubernatorial primary debate that "life begins at conception and ends at natural death," while emphasizing the state's role in protecting the unborn through measures like ultrasound requirements prior to abortions. During the same 2017 Virginia gubernatorial campaign, he stated explicitly, "I would like to see abortion be banned," allowing exceptions only in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the mother's life, a stance that drew scrutiny from abortion-rights advocates but aligned with his prior expressions of opposition to the procedure except in limited circumstances. He received the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee for this campaign, which praised his commitment to advancing pro-life policies in a state with a Democratic governor supportive of abortion access. In a 2014 interview, Gillespie described himself as pro-life, advocating for policies that foster a "community and culture that respects life in every stage," including support for alternatives to such as promotion. His engagement with pro-life groups extended to participating in events with Catholic dioceses during the 2017 campaign, where he committed to defending and advancing the cause of life amid ongoing debates over state funding for organizations like . Regarding traditional values, Gillespie has supported defining marriage as between one man and one woman, stating in 2004 that he would "fight to promote the values that our families hold so dear," including traditional marriage alongside protections for the unborn. As Republican National Committee chairman, he defended this view in public forums, contrasting it with evolving legal recognitions of same-sex unions and framing it as consistent with core family structures valued by many Americans. In advising Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, Gillespie highlighted opposition to same-sex marriage as a key differentiator, underscoring its alignment with conservative principles on family and societal stability. These positions reflect a broader emphasis on preserving institutional norms rooted in biological and historical precedents over redefinitions driven by judicial or legislative activism.

Education and School Choice

Gillespie graduated from Pemberton Township High School in Pemberton, New Jersey. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1983. During his 2017 gubernatorial campaign in Virginia, Gillespie advocated for expanding educational options through charter schools and education savings accounts (ESAs), which enable parents to direct public funds toward private or alternative schooling for children in underperforming districts. He positioned these reforms as complements to public school improvements, arguing they foster competition, innovation, and personalized learning to boost outcomes for all students, particularly those from low-income families. Gillespie received financial support from school choice proponents, including $105,000 from the DeVos family, whose advocacy for similar policies aligned with his platform, though critics from teachers' unions and Democratic opponents labeled such measures as undermining public education funding. Empirical data from states with ESAs, such as Florida's program showing improved test scores for participants without depleting public school resources, informed Republican arguments like Gillespie's, emphasizing parental empowerment over centralized control.

Energy Policy and Environmental Realism

Gillespie's energy policy advocated an "all-of-the-above" approach prioritizing affordable, reliable sources to support and infrastructure resilience. In his 2017 Virginia gubernatorial campaign plan, he proposed enhancing the state's electric grid to accommodate growing demand, integrate renewables like solar and where feasible, and ensure against cyber threats and weather disruptions. This strategy emphasized fossil fuels, , and alongside limited renewables, reflecting 's resource base including Appalachian coal and offshore potential, while opposing regulations that could raise costs for consumers and businesses. On , Gillespie acknowledged of human contributions but stressed pragmatic adaptation over aggressive mitigation that burdens the economy. During his 2014 U.S. campaign, he stated there was "ample that contributes to ," yet prioritized policies like protections without attributing causes primarily to emissions, focusing instead on resilience measures for Virginia's vulnerable Tidewater regions. In 2017, he endorsed President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, arguing it unfairly disadvantaged U.S. workers and industries compared to non-compliant nations like and . His proposals consistently highlighted market-driven innovation and deregulation to lower energy prices, such as expanding pipelines and supporting hydraulic fracturing in Virginia's Marcellus Shale region to reduce reliance on imported energy. Gillespie critiqued one-size-fits-all federal mandates, advocating state-level flexibility to balance with job creation in energy sectors; for instance, he opposed EPA rules seen as accelerating plant retirements without adequate replacements, citing risks to grid reliability amid rising demand from data centers and . This realism-oriented stance aligned with empirical observations of energy poverty's harms and the intermittency challenges of heavy renewable reliance, favoring diversified sources to maintain baseload power.

Health Care and Market Solutions

Ed Gillespie has consistently advocated for market-oriented reforms to address rising health care costs and improve access, emphasizing competition, consumer choice, and reduced government intervention over mandates and regulations. In a 2014 op-ed, he argued that repealing the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) individual mandate and allowing individuals to shop for insurance akin to auto policies would lower premiums by fostering value-based competition. During his 2014 U.S. Senate campaign in Virginia, Gillespie proposed replacing key ACA elements—such as the individual mandate, health insurance exchanges, and industry regulations—with age-adjusted tax credits for households lacking employer-sponsored coverage, expanded health savings accounts (HSAs), permission for interstate sales of insurance plans, and tort reform to curb malpractice litigation costs. These measures aimed to expand coverage without coercive mechanisms, drawing praise from the American Enterprise Institute for providing a viable alternative to the ACA's structure. In his 2017 Virginia gubernatorial campaign, Gillespie's state-specific health plan prioritized dismantling barriers to market entry, including repeal of the Certificate of Public Need (COPN) laws, which he viewed as anticompetitive restrictions that inflate costs by limiting new providers and facilities. He pledged to collaborate with insurers and providers to negotiate lower reimbursement rates, expand telehealth services to enhance access in rural areas, and promote price transparency to empower consumers. Gillespie also supported targeted interventions like addressing the opioid epidemic through expanded treatment access and mental health investments, but framed these within a broader efficiency-driven framework rather than expansive entitlements. Critics from left-leaning groups, such as Planned Parenthood, contended his reforms risked coverage losses, though Gillespie maintained they would drive down costs via supply-side competition without federal overreach. Gillespie's positions reflect a fiscal conservative skepticism of ACA-driven expansions, as evidenced by his criticism of federal repeal efforts like the 2017 Graham-Cassidy bill for insufficiently advancing full replacement with market mechanisms. He has lobbied previously for pharmaceutical interests, including firms benefiting from patent protections that enable innovation but also sustain higher drug prices, aligning with his emphasis on as a market incentive over . Overall, his approach privileges empirical cost drivers—such as regulatory distortions and limited provider competition—over redistributive models, positing that unleashing would yield sustainable affordability.

Confederate Monuments and Historical Preservation

During his 2017 campaign for , Ed Gillespie opposed the removal of Confederate monuments, arguing that such decisions should be handled at the local level while emphasizing that the statues should remain in place and be contextualized historically to facilitate learning about the past. He explicitly rejected statewide mandates for removal, contrasting with Democratic opponent , who advocated for local authority but personally favored taking down the monuments. Gillespie's stance gained prominence following the August 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, where violence erupted amid protests over the proposed removal of a statue in Emancipation Park. He endorsed a circulated by his campaign to preserve Virginia's Confederate statues, framing their retention as a matter of respecting history rather than endorsement of the Confederacy's cause. In a late October 2017 campaign advertisement, Gillespie reiterated support for keeping the monuments, stating they represent "an important part of our history" and should not be erased. This position drew criticism from Democrats, who accused Gillespie of aligning with white nationalist elements, though he condemned neo-Nazis and white supremacists involved in Charlottesville and maintained that preserving monuments does not equate to sympathizing with extremism. Gillespie defended the approach as balanced, prioritizing historical continuity over revisionism, and noted that airbrushing history risks repeating past errors rather than confronting them through . No public statements from Gillespie on broader historical preservation efforts, such as funding for non-Confederate sites or archaeological protections, have been prominently documented beyond this 2017 context.

Other Positions (LGBT Rights, Marijuana, Redistricting, Restoration of Rights)

Gillespie has historically opposed , aligning with Republican platforms during his tenure as RNC chairman in 2003, when the party prepared to explicitly reject homosexual marriage in its national platform. In his 2014 U.S. Senate campaign against , he expressed support for civil unions but maintained opposition to redefining marriage as between same-sex couples, contrasting with Warner's evolved endorsement of marriage equality. During his 2017 gubernatorial bid, Gillespie vowed to oppose bathroom access bills, securing endorsements from business groups concerned about such mandates, reflecting a commitment to traditional gender-based facilities over expansive nondiscrimination protections. On marijuana policy, Gillespie opposed both and during his 2017 gubernatorial campaign, earning a "D" rating from the for his resistance to reform measures. His campaign emphasized maintaining criminal penalties while exploring targeted adjustments to ensure punishments proportionate to offenses, rejecting broader as inconsistent with public safety priorities. Gillespie played a pivotal role in Republican redistricting strategies following the 2010 , advising on map-drawing efforts that secured GOP legislative majorities across multiple states, including , by maximizing partisan advantages through precise district configurations. Critics attributed Virginia's congressional map imbalances partly to these tactics, which he helped refine as a national GOP operative, prioritizing electoral viability over strict or competitiveness criteria. Regarding restoration of rights for felons, Gillespie advocated for a structured process where voting and other privileges are reinstated after individuals have fully served their sentences and demonstrated rehabilitation, framing it as essential to a fair criminal justice system. In his 2017 campaign, he criticized Governor Terry McAuliffe's and Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam's automatic restorations—totaling over 200,000 by October 2017—for including violent felons and sex offenders without individualized review, arguing it undermined public safety by easing access to firearms and ballots for those with serious crimes. This stance positioned restoration as conditional on accountability rather than blanket policy, distinguishing it from Virginia's prior lifetime disenfranchisement for felonies.

Personal Life

Family and Marriage

Ed Gillespie married Hay on May 23, 1987, in . The couple met at a congressional game. Gillespie, a graduate of , has been involved in conservative advocacy, including through organizations like . Gillespie and his wife have three children: two daughters and one son. The family resides in , near George Washington's estate. As of 2024, they have become grandparents. Gillespie has publicly described his as a source of personal blessing, noting 32 years of matrimony in 2019.

Religious and Community Involvement

Gillespie was raised in a traditional Irish Catholic family in , where faith was central to daily life, including attendance at St. Ann's Roman Catholic parish. He graduated from The Catholic University of America in , in 1983. Gillespie remains a practicing Roman Catholic; as of 2014, he and his family attended a in . His wife, , converted to Catholicism after marrying him in 1991, citing her experience attending church with Gillespie as a key influence in developing a strong foundation for their children. Gillespie's Catholic beliefs have shaped his pro-life stance and emphasis on , as he has publicly described himself as a proud Catholic committed to defending the cause of life. In a 2017 speech at , he attributed personal and professional setbacks to elements of God's plan, reflecting the role of in his . Public records show limited details on Gillespie's non-political community service, though he has advocated for partnerships between faith-based organizations, private nonprofits, and government to address issues such as addiction recovery and prisoner reentry, drawing on his support for compassionate conservatism's emphasis on voluntarism and community involvement. During campaigns, he participated in religious events, including prayer services at the Catholic Diocese of Richmond and attendance at diverse worship services such as those at Grace Church in Dumfries.

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  78. https://www.wfxrtv.com/news/politics/ed-gillespie-talks-tax-cuts-gun-rights/
  79. https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20140924/nra-endorses-ed-gillespie-for-us-senate-in-virginia
  80. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/will-nra-ads-in-virginias-us-senate-race-help-or-hurt-ed-gillespie/2014/08/23/88882bf4-286b-11e4-8593-da634b334390_story.html
  81. https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20170803/nra-backs-gillespie-in-virginia-governor-s-race
  82. https://edforvirginia.com/2017/05/11/gillespie-earns-nra-rating-dems-get-fs/
  83. https://www.12onyourside.com/story/36642596/candidates-sharply-disagree-on-guns-in-virginia-govs-race/
  84. https://ballotpedia.org/Fact_check/Ed_Gillespie_on_universal_background_checks
  85. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/gillespie-backs-bump-stock-restrictions-declines-to-release-nra-questionnaire/2017/10/06/43f3feaa-aabd-11e7-92d1-58c702d2d975_story.html
  86. https://vacatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/VCC_Know-the-Positions-of-the-Candidates-for-Governor-2017_Final-Copy-Copy.pdf
  87. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/gillespie-i-would-like-to-see-abortion-be-banned/2017/04/04/2921737e-1953-11e7-9887-1a5314b56a08_story.html
  88. https://nrlc.org/nrlnewstoday_tag/ed-gillespie/
  89. https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2014/10/ed-gillespie/
  90. https://edforvirginia.com/2017/01/27/defending-advancing-cause-life/
  91. https://www.thegreenpapers.com/PCom/?20040831-0
  92. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2004/10/08/october-8-2004-catholic-voters/13536/
  93. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mitt-romney-same-sex-marriage-debate-_n_1510766
  94. https://mabumbe.com/people/ed-gillespie-age-net-worth-career-highlights-more/
  95. https://www.pilotonline.com/2017/03/21/in-york-county-appearance-governor-hopeful-gillespie-backs-charters-tax-cuts/
  96. https://edforvirginia.com/education/
  97. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/future-of-public-education-in-virginia-at-stake-in-governors-race/2017/10/05/0f385722-9fe8-11e7-9c8d-cf053ff30921_story.html
  98. https://vademocrats.org/press-releases/education-leaders-betsy-devos-electoral-liability-ed-gillespie/
  99. https://edforvirginia.com/energy/
  100. https://edforvirginia.com/2017/08/24/gillespie-releases-energy-power-families-jobs-investment-plan/
  101. https://apnews.com/21507828d38d4ca68b439be3cdbd3633
  102. https://cresenergy.com/in-the-news/gillespie-there-is-ample-scientific-evidence-that-contributes-to-climate-change/
  103. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/213427-warner-pressures-gillespie-on-climate-change/
  104. https://vademocrats.org/news/new-gillespie-supports-trumps-paris-decision/
  105. https://roanoke.com/news/politics/gillespie-s-energy-plan-focuses-on-oil-and-gas/article_f89a6664-fda5-11e3-b8fd-0017a43b2370.html
  106. https://ontheissues.org/governor/Ed_Gillespie_Energy_%2B_Oil.htm
  107. https://edforvirginia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/17-GIL-ISS_Energy_v3.pdf
  108. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/opinion/ed-gillespie-an-obamacare-do-over.html
  109. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/ed-gillespie-unveils-alternative-to-affordable-care-act/2014/10/10/8b0d9150-50a4-11e4-babe-e91da079cb8a_story.html
  110. https://www.aei.org/articles/ed-gillespie-offers-credible-obamacare-alternative/
  111. https://edforvirginia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/gillespie-health-care-plan.pdf
  112. https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/blog/the-6-things-you-should-know-about-ed-gillespie
  113. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/351469-virginia-gop-gov-candidate-opposes-graham-cassidy-obamacare-repeal/
  114. https://edforvirginia.com/2017/08/16/thoughts-virginias-historical-monuments/
  115. https://www.wvtf.org/news/2017-08-16/virginia-candidates-for-governor-speak-out-on-confederate-monuments
  116. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/19/ed-gillespie-ralph-northam-divided-on-confederate-/
  117. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/confederate-monuments-become-hot-button-issue-in-va-governors-race/
  118. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/348408-ed-gillespie-circulating-petition-to-keep-confederate-statues/
  119. https://wamu.org/story/17/10/26/gillespie-voices-support-keeping-confederate-statues-new-campaign-ad/
  120. https://vademocrats.org/press-releases/day-7-gillespie-getting-squeezed-refusing-condemn-donald-trumps-defense-neo-nazis/
  121. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/359210-gillespie-defends-tough-stance-on-immigration-support-of-confederate/
  122. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/sep/22/20030922-115106-3739r/
  123. https://www.politifact.com/article/2014/oct/13/warner-and-gillespie-have-adjusted-views-gay-marri/
  124. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/gillespie-wins-key-backing-after-vowing-to-oppose-transgender-bathroom-bills/2017/09/29/2a7eb1e8-a54c-11e7-b14f-f41773cd5a14_story.html
  125. https://www.wtvr.com/2017/08/07/virginias-gubernatorial-candidates-address-marijuana-decriminalization
  126. https://rvamag.com/politics/virginia-politics/virginia-democrat-libertarian-gubernatorial-primary-candidates-win-highest-marks-on-marijuana-policies-by-national-advocacy-group.html
  127. https://www.styleweekly.com/higher-office-heres-where-virginias-gubernatorial-candidates-stand-on-marijuana/
  128. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/gillespie-took-partisan-map-making-to-a-new-level-try-turning-that-into-a-bumper-sticker/2017/10/31/03dd5b32-ba93-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html
  129. https://www.salon.com/2017/11/01/gerrymander-maybe-it-should-be-called-the-ed-gillespie-mander/
  130. https://edforvirginia.com/2017/10/23/ror/
  131. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/gillespie-goes-after-northam-on-felon-rights-restoration-in-new-tv-ad/2017/10/23/afdcc4b8-b82c-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html
  132. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/10/gillespie-criminal-justice-ad/543762/
  133. https://reason.com/2017/10/27/ed-gillespies-scaremongering-on-felon-vo/
  134. https://kids.kiddle.co/Ed_Gillespie
  135. https://constitutingamerica.org/cathy-gillespie-bio/
  136. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=849277250353175&id=100058127229142&set=a.276280094319563
  137. https://x.com/edwgillespie
  138. https://www.nndb.com/people/550/000026472/
  139. https://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/ed-gillespie-to-announce-senate-bid-102261
  140. https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/campaign-fear-division-virginia
  141. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/gillespie-at-liberty-u-my-setbacks-were-part-of-gods-plan/2017/02/06/6a6c570c-ec82-11e6-b4ff-ac2cf509efe5_story.html
  142. https://edforvirginia.com/2017/09/07/gillespie-announces-plan-engage-faith-based-community-private-non-profit-sectors-address-challenges/
  143. https://www.facebook.com/EdwardWGillespie/photos/cathy-i-enjoyed-visiting-with-worshippers-after-joining-service-with-bishop-dere/848287128535321/
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