Though the story was never as dramatic as the Florida ballot controversy, Virginia Gov. James S. Gilmore III (R) removed another possibility from the political arena when he announced last week that he would serve out his term as governor.
Some GOP political pundits had circulated Gilmore's name as a possible cabinet member, presuming Texas Gov. George W. Bush wins the presidential race. But Gilmore will remain in his current position until 2002, having succeeded U.S. Senator-elect George Allen (R) in 1998.
"Governor Gilmore feels strongly about upholding his commitment to the people of Virginia who elected him," Gilmore spokesman Kevin Sheridan said. "He feels that he needs to make sure the elimination of the car tax is completed in addition to continuing transportation and education reforms."
Gilmore was elected on a platform that heavily stressed tax cuts. A cornerstone of these cuts was the elimination of the car tax, a tax on car owners based on the number and cost of their vehicles.
Gilmore served as one of three national co-chairmen on Bush's campaign.
He also is widely credited with helping Bush secure the Republican nomination for president.
"The Virginia election was critical to Bush's survival against [Sen. John] McCain, and Gilmore's ability to turn out the faithful delivered it," said Scott Keeter, chairman of the department of public and international affairs at George Mason University.
"Bush has got a significant debt to Gilmore," Keeter said.
In one scenario eliminated by the announcement, Gilmore would have accepted a Bush cabinet post in January, allowing Lieutenant Governor John H. Hager (R) to take office and giving him a political boost heading into the gubernatorial race next year.
"That was a scenario that would complicate the Democrats' hopes of taking back the governor's mansion," Keeter said.
Hager will square off against Attorney General Mark L. Earley for the Republican nomination in June.
The victor presumably will face Mark Warner (D), an Alexandria businessman who spent $10 million on an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 1996.
"If Gilmore had accepted a cabinet post and left office, it would have removed some anonymity [for Hager] that comes with the position of lieutenant governor," Keeter said. "This is probably good news for Mark Warner."
Gilmore graduated from the University in 1971 with a degree in foreign affairs and earned a J.D. from the University's Law School in 1977.
He served two terms as attorney general in Henrico County before being elected Virginia attorney general in 1993. He beat out Democratic nominee Don Beyer for the governor's seat in 1997.
Though he was little known outside Virginia until he became governor, Gilmore now is considered a rising star in the national Republican Party.
He recently took the reigns of the 29-member Republican Governors Association, which raises money and political support for Republican gubernatorial candidates.
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