Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) has put an end to months of speculation surrounding a potential presidential bid on Monday. He stated that he will focus on campaigning for Republicans running in Virginia's state legislature this year, and aims to hold the House and Senate controlled by Republicans while flipping their Senate.
Youngkin gained national attention when he won Virginia’s gubernatorial election in 2021 as a first-time political candidate. Since then, he has traveled to Taiwan on a trade mission and met with out-of-state donors earlier this month. However, early indications suggested that Youngkin would not launch a presidential bid. Two of his top political advisers, Jeff Roe and Kristin Davison have joined Never Back Down pac – a group supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
During a Q&A at an event hosted by the Milken Institute, an economic think tank in California, Youngkin responded "no" when asked if he had plans to get out on the presidential campaign trail later "this year." His aides later clarified that his response was specifically about this year.
Elections in Virginia are scheduled for November 7th, 2023 – well into the Republican presidential debate season and just months before nominating contests begin. The field of GOP candidates continues to grow with former President Donald Trump as front-runner alongside Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson, Tim Scott among other likely contenders.
In addition to focusing on legislative elections within his state of Virginia and bringing "common-sense solutions," Youngkin also spoke at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., about the future of the GOP without mentioning Trump explicitly during his half-hour speech.
The appearance was part of Time for Choosing speaker series launched by Ronald Reagan Presidential Library after Republicans lost their White House majority along with control over Senate due to rioters storming U.S Capitol intending disruption certification process for 2020 election.