GOOCHLAND, Va. (AP) - The front-runner for the Republican nomination in Virginia's closely watched governor's race is expressing discomfort with series of vulgar and predatory comments about women President Donald Trump made in a recording 12 years ago.
Ed Gillespie said at a Republican debate Saturday in Goochland that he was offended by comments from a 2005 Access Hollywood tape in which Trump boasted about groping women.
Gillespie said all Americans deserve respect and noted that he was a husband and father of two daughters. He made the comments after one of his opponents, Corey Stewart, accused Gillespie of lacking loyalty to the president.
Virginia and New Jersey are the only states electing new governors this year and they could provide a window into Trump's popularity.
