| For the past week, the Democratic Party of Virginia has been calling out Ed Gillespie for spending decades working for predatory student loan companies, Enron, and corporations that have laid off Virginia workers. In a series of events across the commonwealth, Virginia Democrats — including Tom Perriello, State Sen. John Edwards, Delegates Marcus Simon and Mark Levine, and Candidate for Delegate Djuna Osborne — have been hitting Gillespie’s shady work for student loan companies and urging him to disclose all of his clients from the past five years.
But instead of backing off his record, Gillespie is embracing it.
In an interview on Friday with WFIR, Gillespie actually bragged about creating “three small businesses” and a “crisis communications firm” that lobbied to keep the cost of student loans higher. Even more shocking, Gillespie has refused to release all of his consulting clients from the past five years.
That’s right: Gillespie is actively bragging about his firm’s work while refusing to disclose its clients.
“By refusing to disclose his consulting clients, Ed Gillespie is violating the trust of Virginia voters,” said DPVA spokesperson Kevin Donohoe. “Gillespie must immediately come out and tell Virginia who he has worked for — and who is paying him. Ed Gillespie’s long record of shilling for corporate interests is one of his biggest liabilities with Virginians — it’s no wonder he’s trying to hide it. ”
WFIR: Edwards, Osborne call for transparency from Gillespie on lobbying
WSLS: Democrats call for Gillespie to release past lobbying clients
WDBJ: Democrats call on Gillespie to detail lobbying activities
Blue Virginia: In Arlington, Delegates Marcus Simon and Mark Levine Call on Gillespie to Release His Consulting Clients
Falls Church News Press: Del. Simon Lashes Out at Gillespie’s ‘Swamp’ Ties
Washington Post: The Va. governor’s race still hears a lot from the guys who lost the nomination fights
Former Congressman Tom Perriello joined a handful of college students on Monday as they pressed Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie, a former Washington lobbyist and strategist, to disclose the names of clients he has represented over the past five years.
Richmond Times-Dispatch: Polls show tight governor's race as Northam, Gillespie prepare for second debate
Northam’s campaign also has stepped up its criticism of Gillespie’s lobbying background. Gillespie co-founded a Washington lobbying firm in 2000 with Democratic political strategist Jack Quinn. It was sold in 2004, but Gillespie continued to do work for the firm before leaving in 2007 and becoming counselor to President George W. Bush. “I think we all know that Donald Trump had a lot of success with the Republican primary voters on draining the swamp,” Komar said Monday. “Well, Ed Gillespie is a swamp monster.” |
