Worries Increase as Virginia Democrats Concerned About GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Influence
Virginia Democrats are expressing concerns over what they perceive as a lack of support from the national party to counter Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. Their apprehension stems from the potential for Youngkin to use his victories at the state level to push Virginia further to the right and potentially launch a presidential bid.
The upcoming legislative elections this fall are a chief worry for Democrats. All seats in the state’s General Assembly are up for re-election, with Republicans currently holding a five-seat advantage in the House of Delegates and Democrats controlling the Senate by the same margin. Youngkin’s statewide operation is hoping for a GOP sweep, which would allow conservative policies that Democrats have been able to hinder during his first two years in office.
Democratic Senator Mark Warner highlights the significance of controlling the legislature and expresses disappointment in the lack of attention from the White House. He emphasizes that Virginia could play a pivotal role not only this year but in the following years as well.
The fear among Democrats is that a successful election for Youngkin would boost his national profile, make Virginia even more competitive in future presidential elections, and potentially lead to his own presidential bid in 2024. However, Republicans dispute this claim, stating that Youngkin’s focus is solely on winning the General Assembly in November and steering the state in a different policy direction after years of Democratic rule.
Youngkin and his team have been careful to avoid discussing his political future, though they have not ruled out the possibility of a late-stage entry into the race for the presidency.
A significant driver of Youngkin’s campaign is his fundraising. His state political action committee, Spirit of Virginia, has raised an impressive $9.5 million this year, drawing support from donors across the United States. This financial support is aimed at providing Republican candidates in Virginia with the resources they need for success in November. In addition, Youngkin is actively forging connections with influential leaders nationwide.
Virginia Democrats feel they have not been able to match the out-of-state money and political machinery fueled by Youngkin’s campaign. Sensing the significance of the upcoming elections, the state’s two Democratic senators are now advocating for increased attention from the national party.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine believes that if Youngkin’s political machine triumphs in November, it could make Virginia a battleground state in 2024. He suggests that a similar fundraising effort to the one organized by Democrats and progressive groups in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election should be replicated in Virginia.
Meanwhile, Republicans are taking full advantage of the momentum behind Youngkin. Freshman GOP Representative Jen Kiggans, who previously served in the Virginia Senate, credits Youngkin’s success in 2021 with boosting her own campaign for Congress. She believes he will play a pivotal role in the upcoming elections.
Republican strategist Karl Rove, a former Virginia GOP worker, agrees that Youngkin’s popularity and astute political maneuvers have positioned him well. He commends Youngkin for raising funds early and using them judiciously.
The Democrats’ main concern is Youngkin’s efficiency, as they fear he will use a Republican majority to enact conservative legislation targeting areas such as abortion rights and voting provisions. Their strategy aims to counter this by focusing on policy matters they believe resonate with swing voters in Virginia.
The Republicans argue that the Democrats’ control of the legislature in 2019 led them to veer too far to the left, thus paving the way for Youngkin’s rise.
Although Youngkin’s national profile is on the rise, insiders caution that launching a presidential campaign at this late stage may pose challenges. However, they acknowledge that staying focused on the November elections before making a decision could enhance his chances.
In summary, Virginia Democrats are worried about the influence of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin and the potential consequences of his success in the upcoming legislative elections. Republicans are capitalizing on Youngkin’s popularity and financial support, while Democrats strive to counter their opponent’s message with policy-focused appeals to voters. Youngkin’s political future and the prospect of a presidential bid remain uncertain, but his current priority is securing a Republican majority in Virginia’s General Assembly.
