By: Emdad S, News Editor Every four years, Virginians choose a new governor, and we will make that consequential decision once again this November. Incumbent governor Ralph Northam is ineligible for re-election due to Virginia’s consecutive term limits. Former governor Terry McAuliffe, who happened to be in the same situation when he left office in 2018, is the Democratic nominee for governor of Virginia, trying to win back his old position. Conservative businessman & former CEO Glenn Youngkin won the Republican con- vention for governor of Virginia. He is the party’s nominee in the November election. Many experts consider Youngkins’ nomination victory a major political upset, as he was the unknown candidate at the beginning of his campaign.
Recently, President Joe Biden & Vice President Kamala Harris have made their way to Virginia to campaign for Fmr. Gov McAuliffe. President Biden said, “You’re not gonna find anyone, I mean anyone, who knows how to get more done for Virginia than Terry,” he added. “Off-year election, the country’s looking. This is a big deal.” Many high profile GOP figures have campaigned for Youngkin, including Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. “[Glenn Youngkin is] an experienced businessman and problem solver who will create jobs and opportunity, improve schools, and deliver results for the people of Virginia,” said Ambassador Haley. History notes that Fairfax county has been a major deciding factor in recent Virginia elections. In 2017, Governor Northam defeated Ed Gillespie (R) in Fairfax by 37 points and President Biden won Fairfax by 42 in the 2020 election.
Recent Polling Data:
McAuliffe (D): 46.9% Youngkin (R): 43:4% Undecided: 9.7% Margin: McAuliffe by 3.5%
McAuliffe and Youngkin both participated in the debates. A big topic in both debates was President Biden’s recent COVID-19 vaccine mandate that he signed, requiring all federal workers, workers of large companies, and con- tractors to be vaccinated. As Youngkin doubted the constitutionality of the mandate, McAuliffe dubbed his rhetoric anti-vax. Youngkin has made election integrity a major campaign focus. This is a response to Republican claims of voter fraud, which remain unsubstantiated. When asked by moderator Susan Page whether he agreed with a statement former president Donald Trump recently made during an interview, in which he suggested that Democrats might “cheat” in the governor’s race, Youngkin said, “No, I think we’re going to have a clean, fair election that I fully expect to win.” Youngkin stated he does not believe there has been “significant fraud.” Youngkin emphasized that he believes that “Joe Biden’s our president.” McAuliffe dismissed Youngkin as a “Trump wannabe.”
It is important for first- time-voters to participate in not only national elections, but state elections! All Hornets who are 18-years-old are eligible to vote in the 2021 Virginia election, and will have the ability to register in their U.S. government or Social Studies class. HHS government teacher Ms. McCormick said, “Registering to vote and voting are incredibly important and it is the easiest way for every citizen to participate and have a voice in our government. Voting at the local/state level vs the national level has even more impact because the issues can impact your life here in Virginia.” Government teacher/leadership advisor Ms. Kortan said, “I’ve been teaching government for about seven years now and each year I see the number of students who register to vote increase.” She went on to say, “I think it’s important our students see firsthand that their vote really matters, especially in a local election like this year’s race for governor.”