Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore Becomes 17th Republican in Presidential Race

The former Navy intelligence officer previously ran in 2008

Getty Images

The Republican presidential field is adding one more hopeful to its ranks.

Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore filed paperwork on Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission to run for president of the United States.

Gilmore’s entry into the 2016 race makes him the 17th major Republican candidate for president.

Gilmore, a former Army intelligence officer, served as governor of Virginia from 1998-2002. He was a candidate in the 2008 presidential race but dropped out citing a lack of fundraising.

From January 2001 to January 2002, Gilmore was the Chairman of the Republican National Committee but resigned from this position due to differences of opinion with the George W. Bush administration.

The top 10 Republicans in national polls will meet for their first debate August 6 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Comments