Corey Stewart Coy About Endorsing Ed Gillespie For Governor

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A day after narrowly losing the Republican primary for governor to Ed Gillespie, Prince William County Board of Supervisors chairman Corey Stewart was a little more coy about possibly endorsing his former rival but didn't much waver from what he said Tuesday night after the results were final.

"There is one word you will never hear from me, and that's 'unity,' " Stewart told cheering supporters. "We've been backing down too long. We've been backing down too long in defense of our culture and our heritage and our culture."

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On Wednesday, he told both the Washington Post and the Washington Times that Gillespie would have to earn his endorsement in the gubernatorial race against Democratic nominee Ralph Northam, who rather handily turned back opponent Tom Perriello, a former congressman. Stewart told the Post he and Gillespie are planning a possible meeting to discuss the matter.

"I’m voting for the Republican ticket (and) there’s no question about that," he told the Post. "The real question is, will he support my supporters? Unless he stands up and takes clear positions on defending our heritage and our history, supporting the president, cracking down on illegal immigration, those who supported me are not going to go with him.

". . .This isn’t old-style politics anymore. I just can’t tell 155,000 folks to go ahead and vote for Ed despite the fact that he’s not a fighter."

While Gillespie racked up 159,853 votes, Stewart's tally was 155,641. In Prince William County, Stewart grabbed 60 percent of the vote to Gillespie's 32.

Meanwhile, he told the Times that Democrats and their supporters "have blood on their hands" regarding the shooting that left Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and four others wounded early Wednesday morning during a GOP baseball practice in Alexandria.

He said Democrats and liberal activists have created a hostile environment. The shooter, James T. Hodgkinson, who was killed in a shootout with police, had used social media to express his strong dislike for President Trump and other Republicans.

“You don’t see conservatives attacking liberals or Democrats," Stewart said. "It is always the vile, disgusting, animals that are attacking Republicans,” Mr. Stewart told the Times.

He also told the Post he's considering challenging Democratic senator Tim Kaine next year.

Photo: Corey Stewart for Governor