The Gillespie income tax plan would cut Virginia income tax rates by 10 percent across-the-board over three years, putting $1,300 per year back into the pockets of a family of four.
"This will makes us more attractive to retirees, especially military retirees,'' Gillespie said in his talk to Washington and Lee University students at Salerno's Pizzeria. "We will provide much needed relief for hardworking Virginians. They need higher take home pay."
Gillespie said the commonwealth's income tax rate has fallen behind such neighboring competitive states as North Carolina and Tennessee.
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The candidate also said his plan would create more than 50,000 private sector jobs.
If elected in November, Gillespie said he would also ask Virginia cities and counties to look at local tax reform, including changes to business and professional license taxes.
The former Republican National Committee chairman and aide to President George W. Bush spoke of how he can forge strong relationships with new President Donald Trump and the Trump cabinet.
Gillespie said he would make certain Virginia gets its fair share of the president's planned $1 trillion Trump infrastructure plan.
"Southwest Virginia needs more infrastructure and we need congestion relief in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads,'' Gillespie said. "I can work with a Republican House, Senate and a Republican administration."
Gillespie said new U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao is a friend with whom he can communicate about Virginia's transportation needs.
Gillespie's promise of a strong relationship drew criticism from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ralph Northam. Northam is Virginia's lieutenant governor.
Northam, in a press release said "With the Republican House scheduled to vote on taking away healthcare from 24 million, raising prices for seniors, and cutting the quality of care, Ed Gillespie is now talking about the quality of his relationship with the Trump administration. Enjoying a 'good relationship' with President Trump will give Virginians little comfort when they are grappling with the effects of today's ill-advised effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act."
Gillespie wants to revive economic growth in Virginia. He said the state has had a recent trend of more people leaving than moving in. "That reflects the lack of opportunity,'' he said.
Virginia should be leading the country with its natural resources. Gillespie said the commonwealth has vast historic landmarks and the port of Norfolk.
Thursday's stop in Lexington was followed by visits to Roanoke and Christiansburg. He will visit Southwest Virginia on Friday.
Gillespie is opposed by Sen. Frank Wagner and Prince William County Supervisor Corey Stewart in the June Republican primary for the Republican nomination.
He is confident Virginia voters will support his agenda. "I will be a governor for all Virginians and have policies for all Virginia,'' he said. "We won't divide ourselves to greater prosperity."
Gillespie said the next Virginia governor must take office with a sense of urgency about jump starting the economy.