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Former CEO Glenn Youngkin wins Virginia GOP governor nomination after last challenger concedes. New York Times "Youngkin is a political blank slate, with no record in elected office to attack.
"His private wealth — reportedly more than $200 million — will allow him to compete against former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, a prolific fundraiser."
Former private equity chief Glenn Youngkin became the Republican nominee for Virginia governor Monday night after his closest rival, business executive Pete Snyder, conceded while votes were still being tabulated.
Youngkin, 54, the former co-CEO of The Carlyle Group, elbowed past contenders with far more political experience to lead the ticket for a Virginia GOP that has failed to win a statewide election since 2009.
In the sixth round of counting, Youngkin passed the required 50 percent threshold.
"Virginians have made it clear that they are ready for a political outsider with proven business experience to bring real change in Richmond," he said on Twitter.
Youngkin says "the last eight years have been crushing" for Virginians, and he warned that if McAuliffe were given another term, Democrats would end the state's right-to-work law that prohibits compulsory union membership. If that happens, "we can kiss our business environment away," he said.
Republicans believe they have a better chance of winning statewide this year than at any time in the last decade, after Democrats, who took full control in Richmond in 2020, passed sweeping liberal legislation on gun restrictions, and many other issues.
With Democrats set to choose their slate of candidates in a June 8 primary, the Virginia race will be watched nationwide as a bellwether for the 2022 congressional midterm elections. New Jersey is the only other state electing a governor this year, but the state is so solidly blue that Virginia is seen as posing the bigger test for both major parties in the aftermath of the Trump presidency.
McAuliffe raised $36 million for his 2013 election and over $9.9 million during the past two years. Youngkin has already spent $5.5 million of his own money since entering the race in late January.
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