Former RNC chief Ed Gillespie Launches Senate Run

Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie has formally launched his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat representing Virginia.

Gillespie, a former lobbyist and onetime aide to President George W. Bush, kicked off his effort Thursday in a low-key style with a video posted on YouTube announcing his widely expected run.

The video sought to highlight Gillespie's working-class roots, as well as his opposition to the new federal health care law, commonly known as "Obamacare."

In the video, Gillespie tried to portray incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Warner as fiscally irresponsible.

Warner, a former governor of Virginia, has raised more than $7 million for his re-election bid.

Gillespie currently faces two competitors to secure the Republican Party's nomination. A convention will decide the winner in early June.