Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee has announced that Delaware native and Wilmington businessman Jim Ursomarso will be his running mate for lieutenant governor in the 2004 election. Ursomarso, 34, is sales manager for Union Park Automotive Group, a Wilmington business owned by Jim's family.

Ursomarso has extensive political experience. He is chairman of the Wilmington Region Republican Committee. He was executive director for George W. Bush's primary campaign in Delaware in 2000, and did press advance work for the Dole-Kemp campaign in 1996 and the Bush-Quayle campaign in 1992. During college, Jim worked as an intern and volunteer for the Bush White House, including traveling to Japan for President Bush to help arrange the President's visit there; he also worked as an intern on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senator John Heinz.

"Jim brings a wealth of political experience and thoughtfulness to the campaign," says Lee. "Jim is a member of a family that has been a leader in both the business community and the Republican Party. He and his wife, Kristen, help run their respective family businesses and will bring the perspectives of young families and local business to the campaign and the administration that will follow. Jim is a natural choice who brings balance, a great spirit, and commitment to the campaign."

"Judge Bill Lee stands for integrity and devotion to public service and I am thrilled, and flattered, to join the Lee team," says Ursomarso. "Delaware should not only be the First State, but the first state in education, job opportunities and clean air and water. I will do all I can to help Judge Lee spread his message throughout our State and to win the election in November."

A graduate of The Tatnall School, Ursomarso received a B.A. in Comparative Government from Georgetown University, and a J.D. from Duke University School of Law. While at Duke, Ursomarso served as the editor of the Alaska Law Review and the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy. Prior to joining Union Park Automotive Group, Ursomarso practiced law with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, in New York and Washington, D.C.

Ursomarso is married to the former Kristen Greene. Kristen is the director of marketing for Angerstein's Building Supply, her family's business, which has a long history in Elsmere. She returned to her family business after spending several years working in retail sales and marketing in San Francisco, Calif. Kristen is actively involved in the community, serving on the board of the Delaware Better Business Bureau and as a member of Junior League, and has served on the committees for numerous charitable events including the Ministry of Caring's annual auction. Jim and Kristen live in Wilmington.

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