Ed Gillespie has narrowly edged out Corey Stewart to clinch the Republican nomination for Virginia governor, according to The Washington Post, a photo finish to a race predicted to end in a wide victory for Gillespie.
Gillespie’s win marks a slim victory for the establishment wing of the GOP. Stewart had aligned himself strongly with President Trump, hoping to ride the populist wave that sent Trump to the White House in November.
Gillespie ultimately took 43 percent of the vote, while Stewart came in a close second with 42 percent. Trailing far back in third was Frank Wagner, a Navy veteran and Virginia state senator without the national backing of Gillespie or the populist fervor of Stewart.
Gillespie, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, was expected to win the GOP primary by a wide margin – the result of Trump’s growing disapproval and a signal that insurgent candidates could be losing political ground.
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Gillespie’s victory on Tuesday means that he will face off against Democrat Ralph Northam, the state’s lt. governor, in November. Like Gillespie, Northam is closely aligned with the establishment wing of his party. He beat out former Rep. Tom Perriello, a progressive backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
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JUST IN: Gillespie edges out Trump-aligned opponent in Virginia governor primary https://t.co/VAUonzoO5s pic.twitter.com/sBAsh1MZ5p
— The Hill (@thehill) June 14, 2017
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