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Finding Aid

2014-0301-F: Records on Edward (Ed) Gillespie

Biographical History

Edward (Ed) Gillespie was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey and raised in nearby Browns Mills. He attended Pemberton Township High School in New Jersey and Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. While in college, Gillespie worked as a parking lot attendant on Capitol Hill, which eventually led to an internship in a congressional office. He continued to gain more prestigious positions on congressional staffs and from 1985 to 1996 he served as a top aide to former House Majority Leader Dick Armey.

In 1996, Gillespie served as Director of Communications and Congressional Affairs for the Republican National Committee. In 2000, he founded the lobbyist group Quinn Gillespie & Associates (now known as QGA Public Affairs) with Jack Quinn. He also worked on the Bush-Cheney campaign during this time. Also in 2001, he assisted with managing the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. He served as communications director for George W. Bush's first inauguration on January 20, 2001. In 2002, he was the general strategist for Elizabeth Dole's Senate campaign in North Carolina. He returned to the Republican National Committee in July 2003 for the 2004 election cycle, this time as its Chairman.

In the summer of 2005, Gillespie served as a White House advisor during the Senate confirmation processes for John Roberts' and Samuel Alito's nominations to the Supreme Court. From June 26, 2007 to January 20, 2009, he served as Counselor to the President under George W. Bush. After Bush's term ended, he became chairman of Governor Bob McDonnell's successful gubernatorial campaign in Virginia. In 2012, he chaired Mitt Romney's presidential campaign. Gillespie lost his November 2014 bid for election to the Senate in Virginia. Gillespie is married to wife, Cathy, and has three children.

Scope and Content

The materials in FOIA 2014-0301-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials.

FOIA 2014-0301-F contains records created by, as well as records about, Edward (Ed) Gillespie from June 1, 2007 and January 20, 2009, the period he was serving as Counselor to the President. The majority of responsive materials come from Gillespie's staff member office files from his time in Counselor's Office. The materials were originally in manila envelopes so descriptive folder titles have been assigned to each grouping of documents. The resulting folders are arranged as a Confidential File and are arranged alphabetically. Some folders pre-date Gillespie's time in the White House, but seem to have been used as reference material. The remaining folders are those that relate to Gillespie, but were not created by him.

It should be noted that many of the documents listed here may have been closed due to National Security classification and/or exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act.

Extent

196 folders, approximately 2,404 pages

Provenance

Official records of George W. Bush's presidency are housed at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and administered by the National Archives and Records Administration under the provisions of the Presidential Records Act.

Folders and Documents

Staff Member Office Files

Counselor's Office - Gillespie, Edward (Ed) - Confidential Files Counsel's Office, White House - Burck, William Counsel's Office, White House - Fielding, Fred - General Files Management and Administration, White House Office of - Dries, Brittany Office of Administration - Office of the Chief Facilities Management Officer - Coger, Taifa Office of Administration - Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness - Personnel Security Files Speechwriting, White House Office of - Thiessen, Marc White House Personnel, Office of - Race, Karen
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