Likely Gubernatorial candidates, Washington fixer Ed Gillespie and Rep. Rob Wittman, refuse to tell Virginians who they support for President - even after nearly every prominent Republican in Virginia took a side.
What's more, Gillespie and Wittman squandered a powerful opportunity to use their political capital to influence Virginia's primary.
Nearly every prominent Republican Governor has made an endorsement or condemned Trump including: Nikki Haley (SC), Bill Haslam (TN), Greg Abbott (TX), Paul LePage (ME), Chris Christie (NJ), Robert Bentley (AL), Susana Martinez (NM), Charlie Baker (MA), Asa Hutchinson (AR), Phil Bryant (MS), and Dennis Daugaard (SD).
"Virginians deserve to know who Gillespie and Wittman voted for, just like all of their prominent colleagues," said Emily Bolton of the Democratic Party of Virginia. "Certain responsibilities come along with seeking the highest office in Virginia and one of them involves being forthright about where you stand politically. What are Gillespie and Wittman hiding?"
Both candidates refused to say who they support for President. Gillespie cited the fact that he wants to work for the eventual nominee, Wittman said he just wants to see how things pan out.
Neither of those answers are gubernatorial.
FINAL SCORECARD:
Ken Cuccinelli: Endorsed Ted Cruz
Corey Stewart: Endorsed Donald Trump
Ed Gillespie: ?
Rob Wittman: ?
BACKGROUND:
Gov. Nikki Haley Endorsed Rubio. “South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is endorsing Marco Rubio, giving the Florida senator a huge boost just days before the state's crucial Saturday primary. Haley's endorsement came at a 6 p.m. Wednesday event in Chapin. ‘If we elect Marco Rubio, every day will be a great day in America,’ Haley said, riffing on her signature phrase. ‘I wanted somebody with fight, I wanted somebody with passion, I wanted somebody who had the conviction to do the right thing, but I wanted somebody humble enough to remember he works for all the people,’ Haley said.” [CNN, 2/17/16]
Gov. Bill Haslam Endorsed Rubio. “Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has endorsed Marco Rubio in the Republican presidential primary, headlining the state's mounting GOP establishment support for the U.S. senator from Florida amid the rise of frontrunner Donald Trump. Haslam and the Rubio campaign announced the endorsement Thursday morning, capping what had been days of speculation on whether the two-term governor would endorse Rubio. ‘To win in November, conservatives need a candidate who inspires Americans from all backgrounds,’ Haslam said in a statement. ‘With Marco standing next to Hillary Clinton on a debate stage, the choice between the future and the past will be clear to every American.’” [Tennessean, 2/25/16]
Gov. Greg Abbott Endorsed Cruz. “Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will endorse Ted Cruz for the Republican nomination on Wednesday, the Texas senator's campaign confirmed. ‘It is our duty as Texas conservatives to support a leader that we can trust to restore our values. That is why I am supporting Ted Cruz for president," Abbott said in a video, first reported by CNN. ‘Unlike far too many in Washington, the Ted Cruz we’ve seen in the Senate is the same Ted Cruz that we elected. And he’s the same Ted Cruz I served with when I was the attorney general and Ted was the solicitor general.’” [Politico, 2/24/16]
Gov. Paul LePage Endorsed Trump. “Maine’s Paul LePage became the second governor to endorse Donald Trump on Friday. LePage's support comes hours after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie appeared alongside Trump at a press conference in Fort Worth, Texas, announcing his endorsement of his former presidential campaign rival. ‘I was Donald Trump before Donald Trump became popular. So I think I should support him because we’re one of the same cloth,’ the governor said on the ‘Howie Carr Show.’” [Politico, 2/26/16]
Gov. Chris Christie Endorsed Trump. “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie endorsed presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on Friday in a stunning announcement that adds fuel to the real estate mogul’s runaway campaign. ‘I am proud to be here to endorse Donald Trump for president of the United States,’ Christie said, as he stood beside Trump and made his case for why his prior rival is the best candidate for the Republican nomination.” [Politico, 2/26/16]
In March 2016, Gov. Charlie Baker Said He Did Not Vote for Trump and Tuesday and “I’m Not Going to Vote for Him in November.” According to the Boston Globe, Massachusetts Republican Governor Charlie Baker, under pressure from Democrats and the news media to take a position on whether he would publicly support Donald J. Trump, should he be the GOP presidential nominee, saidWednesday he did not vote for Trump on Tuesday and ‘I’m not going to vote for him in November.’” [Boston Globe, 3/2/16]
RGA Chair Susana Martinez Announced her Endorsement of Rubio; Won’t Commit to Voting for Donald Trump If He’s the GOP Nominee. According to Politico, “New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinezon Thursday says she will endorse Marco Rubio for the GOP nomination, giving the Florida senator a badly needed piece of good news during a rough period of his campaign. ‘Marco Rubio is a compelling leader who can unite the country around conservative principles that will improve the lives of all Americans,’ she said in a statement. ‘The stakes for our great country are too high — and the differences between the candidates too great — for me to remain neutral in this race. I wholeheartedly trust Marco to keep us safe and ensure a better tomorrow.’ Martinez, often mentioned as a possible GOP vice presidential pick, plans to join Rubio on the trail in Kansas on Friday and at a rally in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday. Kansas holds its GOP presidential caucus on Saturday and Florida, Rubio’s must-win home state, votes March 15. Martinez, the chair of the Republican Governors Association, wouldn’t commit on Tuesday to voting for Donald Trump if he’s the GOP nominee, and she’s criticized him for past comments on Mexican immigrants.” [Politico, 3/3/16]
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson: “Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson urged Republicans to remember that their White House pick also impacts ‘the Senate and whether we're going to continue to elect Republican governors across the country.’” [2/29/16]
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant: “I hope at some point this party and governors around the nation will intervene…. It’s not a blood sport and it’s not something that should hurt the party… We’ve got to be very careful who our nominee’s going to be.” [2/22/16]
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley: “Here is a man who has, with his rhetoric, disregard and disrespect for women, for minorities, for people who have disabilities,” Bentley said, adding Trump “would make fun of people who possibly had cerebral palsy or other problems.” [2/29/16]
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard: “One thing I do want in our Republican nominee is someone who can win, and I worry that someone who is too polarizing or too appealing to one extreme or another will not in the end be able to win.” [2/22/16]