RICHMOND (AP) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie said Thursday that if elected, he would back a series of measures aimed at strengthening Virginia’s ethics law, including legislation to ban personal use of campaign funds.
Gillespie said at a news conference his administration would also extend limits on lobbying by former government officials. He said his experience as a former White House and congressional aide, as well as his lucrative federal lobbying career, have informed him where ethics rules need strengthening.
Virginia is one of a handful of states that doesn’t outlaw the personal use of campaign funds, and recent efforts to ban the practice have failed. But Republican House Majority Leader Kirk Cox said he believes lawmakers can find a workable solution with Gillespie as governor.