The Republican Party of Virginia has selected its candidate for governor: Glenn Youngkin.
The former CEO of the Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, promises to use his business experience to bring change to Richmond.
“I’m so humbled today to have accepted this nomination, to be ready in fact to serve and prepared to lead and get Virginia back to where she belongs as the best state in America to live and work and raise a family,” said Youngkin.
On Tuesday, Youngkin won the support of former President Donald Trump, who wrote: “Glenn is pro-business, pro-second amendment, pro-veterans, pro-America, he knows how to make Virginia’s economy rip-roaring, and he has my complete and total endorsement!”
“I’m honored to receive his endorsement,” said Youngkin. “I’m receiving endorsements from all over today, which is so humbling.”
10 News political analyst Dr. Ed Lynch said that Youngkin is still the underdog in the blue state, but has some advantages: He’s got substantial campaign funding, he’s a political outsider and he didn’t attack his Republican opponents.
Lynch said COVID-19 restrictions under the Northam administration and the popularity of President Joe Biden in November could also influence the election.
“Most times, the party not in the White House wins that election for governor,” said Lynch.
Candidates vying for the Democratic nomination include Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, former State Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, State Del. Lee Carter, State Sen. Jennifer McClellan and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
“Terry McAuliffe is way ahead of the other candidates running for governor,” said Lynch.
Susan Swecker, the chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, said Youngkin is the wrong choice for the Commonwealth.
“We have a very positive message that we are going to run on, but make no mistake about it, we are going to point out every step of the way the right-wing extremism of Glenn Youngkin,” said Swecker.
Democrats will choose their candidate in the primary election on June 8 to decide who will battle it out against Youngkin at the ballot box.