Former Trump Administration Official Ricky Gill of California Suspends Campaign for U.S. Congress
- The Indian American who served in the National Security Council cited redistricting as one of the reasons to abort his run.
Two months after announcing his run for the U.S. Congress from California’s 10th District, former Trump administration official Ricky Gill has suspended his campaign. In a letter posted on his website and Twitter, the Indian American cited “the tumultuous, unpredictable redistricting cycle” as one of the reasons to abort his run, “combined with the deference due to incumbents of my own party, required our campaign to remain patient and mostly passive these past two months.”
In the letter, Gill thanked his family and friends for their “unflagging support and friendship during this endeavor,” which he said won’t be forgotten, as it was your belief in the merits of my candidacy that fueled our efforts to date. Endorsing Congressman Tom McClintock’s election in District 5, Gill described him as “a stalwart proponent for fiscal responsibility.” McClintock, who represents Congressional District 4, is running for an eighth term in Congressional District 5.
Gill said in the letter that he plans to continue his engagement on the issues that drive him. “I’ll weigh in on the pressing national security topics I once confronted at the National Security Council, and I look forward to the next chapter of personal growth in the private sector–which is fundamental to our country’s strength.”
Gill served in the Trump administration in the White House’s National Security Council (NSC), where he became a director in the European and Russian Affairs Directorate in 2020. He was tasked with fighting Russia’s Nord Stream 2 energy pipeline, ensuring that European Allies did not become hostage to Moscow, while maintaining a healthy domestic energy supply for US consumers, according to his website. “Over time, his portfolio expanded to countering Chinese Communist Party influence in Europe,” the website added.
In 2012, Gill won the Republican nomination for Congressional District 9 and was a featured speaker at the 2012 Republican National Convention. He and District 11 incumbent Jerry McNerney (D) advanced in the primary on June 5, 2012, defeating John McDonald (R). They faced off on Nov. 6, 2012, where McNerney won.
In 2004, Gill was selected by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve as the sole student member of the California State Board of Education.
A native of Central Valley, Gill is the son of immigrant physicians and farmers. A recipient of the Frank H. and Eva B. Buck Scholarship, Ricky graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors from Princeton University. He subsequently earned a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. In his private-sector career, Ricky focused on operating and developing real property, including a top-100 RV resort and retail centers for some of the most recognizable global brands.