Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has quashed rumors of a presidential run in 2024. Speaking at a “Governing America” conversation with the Milken Institute, Wall Street Journal editor-at-large Gerard Baker asked Youngkin if he planned to run for president later this year. Youngkin responded, “I’m going to be working in Virginia this year,” citing the upcoming legislative elections where he hopes to preserve the Republican majority in the House of Delegates and flip the Democratic-controlled state Senate. Youngkin has previously been rumored as a potential GOP presidential hopeful due to his 2021 election win as Virginia’s governor, but he has not registered in polls of prospective GOP presidential candidates.
Youngkin’s focus on Virginia’s legislative elections is evident in the more than $10 million that his Spirit of Virginia political action committee has received, including a $1 million donation from billionaire former supporter of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential hopes, Thomas Peterffy. The PAC’s money is intended for this year’s legislative races, and Youngkin has not formed an exploratory committee for a national race or written a campaign book or gone to Iowa. Youngkin has previously said he is flattered but focused on Virginia, but he has not given such a definitive “No” in public until now.
Youngkin’s campaigning for GOP gubernatorial candidates in other states last year has kept political pundits speculating that he plans a presidential run. However, he told Baker that his excitement is focused on Virginia’s legislative elections, where he wants to hold the Republican majority in the House and flip the Democratic-controlled state Senate.
Having not announced a campaign, Youngkin has barely registered in polls of prospective GOP presidential hopefuls. One of his top political advisers is now aiding DeSantis’ expected GOP bid. Youngkin chuckled when Baker pressed him further if he would embark on a presidential campaign “this year,” but he replied, “We’ll leave that one to LBJ. What I am very excited about is that America seems to be paying attention to what’s going on in Virginia.”
Youngkin was in California on Monday on his way back from a trade trip to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. He spoke with Baker at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills and later spoke at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as part of its “Time for Choosing” speaker series.
In conclusion, Governor Youngkin has put an end to rumors about his presidential run in 2024. He has emphasized his focus on Virginia’s legislative elections and his goal to hold the Republican majority in the House and flip the Democratic-controlled state Senate. Youngkin’s campaigning for GOP gubernatorial candidates in other states last year, as well as the more than $10 million his Spirit of Virginia political action committee has received, have kept political pundits speculating about his potential presidential run. However, Youngkin has repeatedly said he is focused on Virginia and has not formed an exploratory committee for a national race or written a campaign book or gone to Iowa.
Original Story at richmond.com – 2023-05-01 22:36:00