Virginia Gov. James Gilmore, 51, is President-elect George W. Bush's choice to chair the Republican National Committee. Gilmore, a Republican, is a fiscal and social conservative who spent much of the year campaigning across the country for Bush.

Gilmore was elected governor in 1997 and campaigned on the platform of eliminating Virginia's highly unpopular car tax by the end of his term. His term expires in January 2002, and he is barred from running for a consecutive term.

Prior to becoming governor, Gilmore served as Virginia's attorney general from 1988 to 1993 and in 1987 was elected Henrico County commonwealth's attorney. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Gilmore earned his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1977 as well as his undergraduate degree in 1971.