Gillespie Begins GOP Gubernatorial Campaign Tour Saturday

RICHMOND, VA — Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie will begin his campaign for the nomination Saturday by visiting five areas of the state, including Chantilly, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Roanoke and Bristol.

On Sunday, he's scheduled to his Abingdon, Wytheville and Blacksburg.

Monday it's Williamsburg and Fredericksburg, and Tuesday it's Harrisonburg, South Boston and Farmville.

The former Republican National Committee chairman has a sizable lead among his potential opponents for the GOP nomination but lags behind presumptive Democratic nominee Ralph Northam, according to a Quinnipiac poll released last month.

Gillespie, who narrowly lost his bid to unseat popular Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, leads the Republican field at 24 percent, followed by U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman at 10 percent, Prince William Board of Supervisors chairman Corey Stewart and state Sen. Frank Wagner of Virginia Beach, both of whom had 4 percent.

Wittman dropped out of the primary race while the poll was being conducted.

In a head-to-head match-up against Lt. Gov. Northam, Gillespie trails by four percentage points, 38-34.

Photo: Ed Gillespie For Governor