And then there were 17 (counting the easily forgotten former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki). Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore has thrown his hat in the ring for the GOP presidential nomination:

“Today we live in a dangerous world that has become more dangerous because of the Obama-Clinton foreign policy failures,” he said. “Our allies believe they can’t count on us and our adversaries neither fear nor respect us.”

He appears to be emphasizing his “experience,” especially on national security issues, and his fiscal conservatism—entering the now suddenly crowded space occupied by Kasich, Bush, Christie, and others running as the “less extreme” conservative.

Oddly, as Maggie pointed out, Trump is drawing a lot of voters from GOP moderates.  I don’t think “experience” is going to be the winning campaign theme this year.

But welcome to the race Gov. Gilmore. Who’s next?

Paul Dupont is a legislative assistant for American Principles in Action.