STAUNTON — Virginia Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ed Gillespie campaigned in Staunton on Thursday with a dynamic Republican chief executive whose success he hopes to emulate: Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin.
A Washington and Lee University graduate, Bevin told a roomful of spectators at the Staunton Holiday Inn that he has set a goal of cutting 30 percent of regulations in Kentucky during his four-year term, which began in 2015. He also has set up a website called RedTape.com.
Gillespie said he would follow suit if elected in November. “For every new regulation, I will repeal two outdated ones,’’ he said.
Gillespie said cutting regulations will help entrepreneurs get an easier start. The former counselor to President George W. Bush and chairman of the Republican National Committee said Virginia “is hungry for conservative leadership,” and that he’s the one who can provide it.
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He hopes to also cut taxes and transition Virginians away from the low-paying jobs and part-time work that has contributed to stagnant revenue collection in the commonwealth.
“Too many Virginians are working part-time. You won’t fix the shortfall by raising taxes,’’ he said. Gillespie also said he wants to offer more choices in education, noting that the commonwealth only has nine charter schools, whereas neighboring North Carolina has more than 140.
Bevin said his faith in Gillespie was demonstrated by his presence Thursday campaigning for him in both Lynchburg and Staunton.
“I came here because I believe in this man,’’ said Bevin, 50, who said he delivered his state of the commonwealth in Kentucky Wednesday night and flew to Virginia to help Gillespie the following morning. Bevin said Gillespie “is the next best hope for the commonwealth of Virginia.”
And Bevin offered a message of hope to the distressed coal industry that has impacted both Virginia and Kentucky.
He said there is still a need for coal. Bevin noted that coal-fired plants are being built in Europe, and said there is the need to export more of the product from the U.S.
Gillespie said he sees other irons in the fire for Southwest Virginia, the area hardest hit by the recession in the coal industry. His strategy is to invest in more broadband access and roads in the region, and to take advantage of the tourism opportunities in that part of the commonwealth.
Both men addressed the importance of faith in their lives. “Faith informs everything I do,’’ said Gillespie. Bevin said he is “a sinner saved by grace.” He urged both young and old in the audience to approach life with a boldness.
“Be bold and unapologetic about your beliefs,’’ Bevin said.