By: Emdad Swapan
This year will feature Virginia’s 74th Gubernatorial election. Incumbent Governor Ralph Northam is currently ineligible for re-election due to consecutive term limits in the Virginia constitution. Former Governor Terry McAullife, who was in the same situation when he left office in 2018, is currently leading in the Democratic primary by 47%, according to recent polling data. On May 24th, Former Carlyle Group CEO Glenn
Youngkin won the Republican convention for Governor of Virginia. He will be the party’s nominee in the November election this fall. Many experts consider Youngkins’s victory a major upset, as many did not even know who he was at the beginning of his campaign. According to multiple news outlets, Former President Trump was as shocked as most Virginians when Youngkin won the nomination. They went on to add that Trump was almost sure that State Senator Amanda Chase or former Virginia house speaker Kirk Cox would secure the nomination. Youngkin said after his victory, “I am prepared to lead, excited to serve and profoundly humbled by the trust the people have placed in me. Virginians have made clear that they are ready for a political outsider with proven business experience to bring real change to Richmond.” McAuliffe later responded,'' Let me introduce you to Glenn Youngkin: Glenn’s a Ted Cruz and Corey Stewart-endorsed, self-funding, big-(election)-lie believing, Trump loyalist who’ll stop at nothing to advance the GOP’s extreme agenda.” His campaign gained steam in some Virginia districts after Texas Senator Ted Cruz endorsed him for Governor. After his victory, Youngkin later said, “Terry is talking about culture wars while he supports a school system that is focused on teaching a divisive political agenda. We have to get our priorities straight and put Virginia families first, which is exactly what will happen when I’m the next Governor of Virginia.” .Former President Donald Trump gave Youngkin a full endorsement. Fairfax county has been a major deciding factor in recent Virginia elections. In 2013, Ken Cuccinelli (R) lost Fairfax county to McAuliffe (D) by 22 points. In 2017, Governor Northam defeated Gillespie in Fairfax by 37 points and President Biden won by 42 in the 2020 election.
Recent Democratic Primary Polling data by Christopher Newport University
Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy
5%
Delegate Lee Carter
1%
Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax
8%
Former Governor (2014-2018) Terry McAuliffe
47%
State Senator Jennifer McClellan 6%
Other/ Undecided
33%