In Virginia's Trump country, low enthusiasm for Republican
Posted October 23, 2017 7:00 am
POUND, Va. (AP) - People in Virginia's coal country still love President Donald Trump, but not his pick to be their next governor.
Ed Gillespie is a Washington insider backed by Trump, who won coal country counties by large margins, with many voters crediting him for increased coal production.
But those same voters said they know little about Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman, corporate lobbyist and multimillionaire who was raised in New Jersey and now lives in Northern Virginia.
He will need a strong turnout among Trump's rural supporters, but has largely tried to keep the president at arm's length throughout the campaign.
Election Day is Nov. 7.
This Monday, Oct. 9, 2017 photo shows traffic moving through downtown Pound, Va. People in Virginia's coal country still love President Donald Trump but are unenthusiastic about his pick to be the next governor of Virginia. Ed Gillespie is a Washington insider who Trump has endorsed in the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial contest. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The Associated Press
This Monday, Oct. 9, 2017 shows a U.S. flag fluttering the breeze in front of a mural that depicts some of Pound's famous residents in Pound, Va. People in Virginia's coal country still love President Donald Trump but are unenthusiastic about his pick to be the next governor of Virginia. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The Associated Press
This Monday Oct. 9, 2017 shows traffic passing a memorial marker in Downtown Pound, Va. People in Virginia's coal country still love President Donald Trump but are unenthusiastic about his pick to be the next governor of Virginia. Ed Gillespie is a Washington insider who Trump has endorsed in the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial contest. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The Associated Press
This Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 photo is an aerial view of downtown Pound, Va. People in Virginiaâs coal country still love President Donald Trump but are unenthusiastic about his pick to be the next governor of Virginia. Ed Gillespie is a Washington insider who Trump has endorsed in the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial contest. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The Associated Press
This Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 photo is an aerial view of downtown Pound, Va. People in Virginiaâs coal country still love President Donald Trump but are unenthusiastic about his pick to be the next governor of Virginia. Ed Gillespie is a Washington insider who Trump has endorsed in the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial contest. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
The Associated Press
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