For Immediate Release Contact: Matt Williams

January 9, 2007
 

Gilmore Makes it Official: Former Virginia Governor Files a Presidential Exploratory Committee

Alexandria, Virginia --- Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore made it official today by filing the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to form an exploratory committee to explore a potential candidacy for President of the United States.

"Today, I filed the papers necessary to explore a candidacy for President because I believe that this nation needs conservative leadership.  Alone among those considering a candidacy for the Republican nomination, I have a record of real leadership as a tax cutter and job creator, as a leader on national security issues, and as a national leader in our party.  I intend to move quickly to form a national campaign team and to make my decision on moving to a formal candidacy," Gilmore said.

Governor Gilmore will soon announce his committee’s leadership structure, which will include several prominent Republicans with experience in presidential campaigns.

Jim Gilmore was the governor of Virginia when the Pentagon was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. A former Army counter-intelligence agent, he chaired the Congressional "Gilmore Commission" from 1999 to 2003 to assess America's terrorism response capabilities. Mr. Gilmore is now serving as Chairman of the National Council on Readiness and Preparedness, a non-profit community-based grassroots organization to strengthen homeland security and provide forums to develop a national strategy that includes the local first responders, small and large business, and the leaders of many communities throughout America. A former Chairman of the Republican National Committee and Republican Governors Association, he is currently a partner at the Washington office of Kelley Drye Collier Shannon, where he chairs the Homeland Security Practice Group.