Virginia Gov. James S. Gilmore III is settling into his new appointment as chairman of the Republican National Committee.
During Election 2000, President George W. Bush's campaign toyed with the idea of appointing Gilmore attorney general in the Bush administration. But Gilmore turned down the possibility of an offer.
"The governor took himself out of the running because he didn't want to step down as Virginia's governor," said Ed Matricardi, executive director of the Republican Party of Virginia.
No other Virginia governor has stepped down before the ending his term, Matricardi said.
Gilmore has been serving as both governor and RNC chairman since Jan. 15. His term lasts for two years, at the end of which Bush may decide to reappoint Gilmore.
As RNC chairman, Gilmore is responsible for fundraising, handling the press and maintaing organization at the national party level, Matricardi said.
"These are the main hats that a party chairman wears," Matricardi said.
Matricardi said Gilmore will mainly focus on organizing grassroots efforts for Republicans around the nation. Gilmore has had extensive experience organizing these types of local groups in Virginia.
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Despite its magnitude, Gilmore's job as RNC chairman will not interfere with being governor, which is his top priority, Gilmore Asst. Press Secretary Yooree Oh said.
He's only "up in Washington D.C. once or twice a week," Oh said.
The "two jobs can work hand in hand," Matricardi said.
Government Prof. Larry J. Sabato said being RNC chairman will have little effect on Gilmore's ability to serve as governor.
Gilmore has many projects planned to finish before ending his term as governor, Oh said.
His top priority is higher education, followed by car tax relief. But he has not made up his mind on the out-of-state student enrollment cap that recently was defeated in the General Assembly, Oh said.
Matricardi said he does not think Gilmore will shift his focus away from the Virginia Republican Party.
"He has raised more money for the Virginia party than anyone else has this year," Matricardi said.
He expects Gilmore to play an important role in the state elections next fall, he said.
Gilmore will support either Lt. Gov. John Hager or Attorney General Mark Earley as the Republican candidate for governor, he added.
While being RNC chairman is not a full-time job, Sabato said he believes it is a reasonable compromise, considering Gilmore nearly took a position in Bush's cabinet.
Gilmore's future is still unclear after he serves as RNC chairman.
Gilmore may try to succeed John Warner (R) in the Senate, but Warner said he plans to run for another term, Sabato said.
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