White House Gatecrasher Tareq Salahi Running for Governor of Virginia
Tareq Salahi
Tareq Salahi, who famously attended a 2010 White House state dinner uninvited with his then-wife, Michaele, announced Wednesday that he is running for Governor of Virginia.
The former Real Housewives of D.C. star, who split from Michaele last year, announced his hope to run as the state's Republican candidate after Lt. Governor Bill Bolling announced he would not seek the Republication nomination next year.
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"I hereby confirm that I will remain in the race for Governor and continue to seek the Republican nomination because I believe in putting people, not politics, first, and because Virginia needs a common-sense leader, not an extremist that promotes division," Salahi, 43, said in a statement. "I am in this to win it — and either way, I will be on the ballot for voters to have the chance to elect the right leader that believes in putting Virginians' rights first. I believe in keeping government out of the bedroom and out of the way for businesses to succeed in Virginia."
He added: "The future of the Republican party is not in our rear view mirror, and it's time for fresh and new creative leadership!"
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Salahi was born in Washington, D.C. and was one of 15 board members of the Virginia Tourism Corporation from 2006 to 2009, when he resigned shortly after the incident at the White House. Attorney General Cuccinelli, who is also seeking the Republication nomination, filed suit against Salahi earlier this year for violating the Virginia Consumer Protection Act for allegations linked to his family's business, Oasis Vineyards.
The Salahis divorced in 2012 after 12 years of marriage. Michaele is now engaged to Journey rocker Neal Schon.