Governor Glenn Youngkin is campaigning heavily for Virginia’s congressional candidates, with a focus on VA-02, VA-07, and VA-10, but he’s also stopping in other areas. On Wednesday morning, he attended a get-out-the-vote rally for Representatives Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09) and Ben Cline (R-VA-06), and by Wednesday evening, he was in Wisconsin supporting GOP gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels.
Youngkin’s Spirit of Virginia PAC, which has reported $4.75 million in contributions in 2022, announced his “Rally for Virginia Early Voting GOTV Tour” last week. The tour has 21 stops through November 7, including six stops supporting state Senator Jen Kiggans (R-Virginia Beach) for VA-02, seven stops for Yesli Vega in VA-07, and four stops for Hung Cao in VA-10. Youngkin’s also spending money to support the candidates; his Empowering Virginia Parents PAC has spent $414,147 in the three districts, according to The Virginia Public Access Project.
The tour announcement included Wednesday’s stop with Griffith and Cline, and a stop supporting Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), but none supporting Representative Bob Good (R-VA-05.) It also includes two stops supporting GOP VA-08 challenger Karina Lipsman and VA-11 challenger Jim Myles.
“We have fantastic Congressional candidates and incumbents running this year who will carry the mission and Spirit of Virginia to Congress this fall, and I am excited to join them in their districts as we encourage Virginians to get out and support them. We started a movement in Virginia last year. It’s time to take our movement to Congress, where each of our incredible candidates will work every day to keep making Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Youngkin said in the announcement.
“It’s getting out the base, the ones that are actually interested in seeing the Governor this year when he’s not up for election are the voters who already know they’re voting Republican,” CNalysis Executive Director Chaz Nuttycombe told The Virginia Star. “I think he’s a decent attraction for Virginia Republican voters tuned into the election this year to see. They don’t really need him to win, they just need the generic ballot to remain Republican-favoring.”
Former Prince William County GOP Committee vice chairman Willie Deutsch said that Youngkin is attractive to undecided voters and moderates, based on his victory in 2021.
“The national party has been using Youngkin in purple/blue districts while using DeSantis in deep red districts,” Deutsch said, counting Wisconsin among purple/blue states.
Deutsch said that at rallies supporting Vega, Youngkin has focused on inflation, quality of life, and education. Vega’s rallies have had special guests besides Youngkin, including Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). She also had House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) back her at a fundraiser despite a primary commitment to not support him for Speaker if Republicans take the majority.
He said Republican messaging on the economy is resonating with voters, and that Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) has lower enthusiasm among Democrats than Vega. Deutsch said Vega’s rallies are well-attended.
“The Youngkin one had pushing a thousand people. The one with Tulsi was packed-out too,” he said.
– – –
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Glenn Youngkin” by Virgnia Governor.Â
