- The Washington Times - Wednesday, May 10, 2017

President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey has spilled over into the gubernatorial race in Virginia, where Republican Ed Gillespie is coming under fire from his primary and possible general election rivals for refusing to say whether he agrees with the move.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and former Rep. Tom Perriello, who are locked in a tight battle in the Democratic primary, accused Mr. Gillespie of putting partisanship ahead of Virginia voters after the Republican said he wanted to learn more about the timing and rationale behind Mr. Trump’s decision before taking sides.

Mr. Northam described Mr. Comey’s firing as “suspicious and disturbing” and called on Republicans to join the calls from Democrats for a special prosecutor to carry out an independent investigation into the Trump campaign’s possible ties to Russia.

“Ed Gillespie has said nothing of consequence, refusing to break with the president. Anything less can only be interpreted as tacit approval,” Mr. Northam said. “The Trump administration must also cooperate fully with his investigation, and a special prosecutor, in order to clear the dark cloud hanging over the White House.”

In a statement, Mr. Gillespie said the president has the prerogative to decide the fate of the FBI director and said “there have been many questions and concerns raised about this decision.”

“I look forward to learning more about its timing and rationale as they’re answered,” Mr. Gillespie said. “It’s critical that the American people have faith in the Bureau, its leadership and the administration.”

Mr. Gillespie is leading the GOP primary race against state Sen. Frank Wagner and Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, who applauded Mr. Trump’s actions.

“As President Trump works to drain the swamp by firing FBI Director James Comey — a move I fully support — it’s no surprise career lobbyist Ed Gillespie is flip-flopping on whether or not the swamp needs to be drained,” Mr. Stewart said.

Mr. Perriello, meanwhile, said Mr. Gillespie’s muted response shows a lack of leadership.

“Republicans in Congress have shown no willingness to conduct proper oversight, and candidates like Ed Gillespie refuse to speak out against a president who has demonstrated authoritarian tendencies and continues crossing lines that shouldn’t be crossed,” he said in a statement.

• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.

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