Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore speaks at a Republican Leadership Summit in Nashua, New Hampshire, on April 17, 2015. [Photo/IC]

WASHINGTON - Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore on Wednesday became the 17th entrant in the crowded Republican field of candidates for the 2016 US presidential race.

Gilmore filed his paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, which is needed to enter the presidential contest next year.

Gilmore, who ended his one term as governor in 2002, has entered an increasingly crowded Republican field of candidates, which already includes former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Billionaire businessman Donald Trump, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina.

Under the rules, the top 10 Republicans in the national polls will be qualified to join the first debate to be held on Aug 6 in Cleveland, Ohio.

A recent poll conducted by the Monmouth University in New Hampshire showed Gilmore gaining only 1 percent of support among Republican voters in the state, with Trump leading with 24 percent, followed by Bush's 12 percent.