Ed Gillespie, a former top aide to President George W. Bush who chaired both the Republican National Committee and Virginia GOP, is quietly building support for a 2014 bid against Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, according to potential backers.

“He’s called a few of us,” said state Sen. Bryce Reeves, who chairs the influential Senate Republican Caucus Campaign. “I think he’s in,” Reeves said, adding, “Ed is an excellent candidate for the office.”