Virginia’s Gilmore makes 17 GOP presidential candidates

A former Virginia governor joined the Republican presidential contest on Wednesday, making him the 17th candidate in the race.

His entry makes 17 Republicans now running for president in the 2016 election.

Gilmore’s filing adds little detail outside of the name of his campaign committee: Gilmore for America LLC.

Mr Gilmore told the Richmond Times-Dispatch earlier this month that his campaign will focus on foreign policy issues.

A former army intelligence officer, Mr Gilmore served as Virginia governor for one term from 1998 to 2002.

The field also includes current and former U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (Florida), Rand Paul (Kentucky), Lindsay Graham (South Carolina) and Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania).as well as Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina.

After four years as governor, he headed the Gilmore Commission, a panel that advised presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush on ways to improve homeland security strategy, particularly against domestic terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction. “I bring to the table experience that others don’t have”.

Under the rules, the top 10 Republicans in the national polls will be qualified to join the first debate to be held on August. 6 in Cleveland, Ohio.