Gilmore is a graduate of Palomar College as well as the Advanced, Supervisory and Management courses of the Police Officers Standard Training program. Gilmore also taught weaponless defense courses at West Hills College Lemoore.
Gilmore was a CHP officer from 1972 until 2003. He worked for the South Los Angeles, Oceanside, Sacramento, King City, and Hanford CHP office during his career. In 1981, Gilmore was promoted to sergeant and assigned to King City. His subsequent promotion to Lieutenant saw him assigned as the Hanford Area Commander. Promoted to Captain, Gilmore was assigned as Commander of the Visalia Area in 1995. His final promotion, before retiring in 2003, was as Assistant Chief to the Central Division Headquarters, Fresno. Gilmore also led the Patrol's Physical Training Unit. Cited as one of the most demanding training programs in law enforcement, Gilmore drilled CHP Cadets daily for four years. Active with his fellow law enforcement colleagues, Gilmore held membership with the California Peace Officers' Association, the Tulare County Chiefs Association and is a lifetime member of the California Highway Patrolman's Association.
Political career
2006 election
In one of the closest elections of the cycle, Gilmore lost the election to incumbent Nicole Parra by less than 900 votes.
As Assemblywoman Nicole Parra and State Senator Dean Florez have been feuding for years, Parra refused to endorse Shafter Mayor Fran Florez, Dean Florez's mother and Gilmore's Democratic opponent in the race. Instead, Parra, a Democrat, crossed party lines to endorse Gilmore, a Republican. Gilmore defeated Florez in the November 4, 2008general election, and now represents the 30th Assembly District.
2010 election outlook
Florez has announced that she will seek a rematch against Gilmore . Florez will face a primary challenge from Pete Parra, the father of former Assemblywoman Nicole Parra . On January 19, 2010, Gilmore announced that he would not be a candidate for reelection, saying "If I could sum up in one word my feeling about serving in the Legislature, that word would have to be 'frustration. This most recent phase of public service does not suit my family or me. There are those who enjoy political games and legislative intrigue. I'm just not one of them." . He has endorsed David Valadao, a dairy farmer, to succeed him. Valadao won the election.
Personal
Gilmore is married to his lifelong sweetheart, Cindi, and together they raised two children, a son, Damon, and a daughter, Deanna, who have now given them six grandchildren. Gilmore and his family have lived in Hanford, California since 1985 and have been active members of the Calvary Christian Center.
