House Republican Caucus Leader Todd Gilbert has told colleagues he will step down if they call for a new leadership election — a move that comes as he’s in the running for the U.S. attorney position in Virginia’s Western District.
“The team we’ve built can’t afford sudden disruptions—either in planning or leadership,” Gilbert said in a statement to Virginia Scope Wednesday night.
All 100 House seats are up for election this November. Democrats currently hold a 51-49 majority.
“This election is absolutely critical for the future of our Commonwealth,” Gilbert continued. “While I remain fully engaged in the fight to restore our Republican majority, there’s a chance I may need to step away from politics on short notice. If that moment comes, I want to make sure the transition is smooth and responsible, with a clear runway in place.”
Related: Gilbert puts his name in the running for US attorney
Sources say Dels. Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County; Terry Kilgore, R-Scott; and Michael Webert, R-Fauquier, are preparing to seek the leadership post if a caucus election is triggered.
U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner recommended Gilbert and Senior Assistant Attorney General Robert Tracci for the Western District nomination.
Traditionally, a state’s U.S. senators recommend U.S. attorney nominees to the president — a practice that typically ensures smooth Senate confirmation.
However, Virginia Scope confirmed with Gilbert and Tracci this week that House Republicans are conducting their own interviews with the nominees. The interviews were conducted on behalf of Reps. Ben Cline, John McGuire and Morgan Griffith.
It is unclear why House members are becoming involved in this process, as the Senate is tasked with advising and confirming Presidential nominations.
During an interview with Virginia Scope in April, Gilbert said he is conflicted about potentially leaving the House of Delegates, but he said it is an “opportunity that I couldn’t pass up without checking to see if I would be a viable candidate.”
Gilbert also told Virginia Scope that he would look forward to serving in the House if this new opportunity does not swing his way.
“I would look forward to continuing to [be in the House] if this other thing doesn’t work out,” Gilbert said. “I love serving the people that I represent and serving in the legislature. This could take a while for me to find out, and if it doesn’t work out, I would be thrilled to continue serving in the House of Delegates, if my constituents will have me.”
Gilbert has been the leader of the House Republican Caucus since 2020, which includes two years as Speaker of the House. He has been in the House for nearly 20 years and currently operates out of his own law firm. Before that, he worked as a prosecutor in Shenandoah, Warren, and Frederick counties and the City of Lynchburg.
Tracci previously worked in the WDVA as a Special Assistant United States Attorney and was the Albemarle Commonwealth’s Attorney. In the early 2000s, he was the Chief Legislative Counsel for the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and Deputy Assistant to the United States Attorney General in 2007 and 2008.
Tracci has endorsements from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, which recently sent letters to President Trump backing his candidacy.
“My tenure as Deputy Assistant Attorney General, federal prosecution experience in the Western District of Virginia, leadership record as elected Commonwealth’s Attorney for Albemarle County; as Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Louisa County, and as Section Chief for Major Crimes and Emerging Threats in the Virginia Attorney General’s Office uniquely qualify me to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia on day one,” Tracci said in a statement to Virginia Scope Wednesday night.