Governor Glenn Youngkin stopped at four rallies supporting five Virginia Republican candidates for Congress on Monday, making a final pitch alongside Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares for continued GOP wins in Virginia begun with Youngkin’s own victory a year ago.
“They said last year that no Republican could win statewide in Virginia – ‘I mean it’s too blue, suburbs are too strong,'” Youngkin said at a morning rally for Karina Lipsman, running for VA-08, and Jim Myles, running for VA-11.
“But I want to tell you right now, they forgot to do one thing and that’s ask the voters. Voters stood up and locked arms and said, ‘No, this commonwealth that breathed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness into our nation is standing up and making a statement,” he said.
Incumbent Congressmen Don Beyer (D-VA-08) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) are expected to win both seats.
In the afternoon, Youngkin stopped in Loudoun County to support Hung Cao, who’s running against Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) in a race that is the biggest reach for Republicans in Virginia’s three competitive congressional races.
“The red wave that started in Virginia last year is washing across the country. You know what’s so fun is that that red wave is blowing right through the 10th Congressional District and there’s a guy named Hung Cao on his surfboard going right to Washington,” Youngkin said.
“Everybody’s coming together and locking arms and saying, ‘Wait a minute. Wait a minute. What do we believe? We believe in low inflation, not high inflation. We believe in safe neighborhoods, not violent neighborhoods. We believe in schools that teach our children how to think, not what to think,'” Youngkin said.
On Monday evening, Youngkin spoke at a rally for Yesli Vega, who is running against Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) in a tight race. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23) was also scheduled to appear at the rally.
Youngkin blamed Democrats for inflation and rising crime.
“Everything they touch, they make it worse; everything,” he said. “They unleash inflation, and the silent thief is stealing hard-earned money from Virginia families.”
He also repeated a new point he began using in 2022 campaign messaging.
“Every state is a border state, and it started with Joe Biden,” Youngkin said, citing fentanyl trafficked from Mexico.
On Monday night, Youngkin spoke in VA-02 to support State Senator Jen Kiggans (R-Norfolk) in her race against Representative Elaine Luria (D-VA-02.) The race is thought to be a must-win for Republicans hoping to re-take the House majority. Several other Republicans were scheduled to appear alongside Kiggans, including McCarthy and former Speaker Newt Gingrich.
“When we elect Jen Kiggans, we will see the majority flip in our House and we will take back the majority,” Youngkin said.
He called for supporters to vote and help their friends vote for Kiggans.
“We have a chance to turn this around because the winning team is the winning team. You get to pick the Speaker of the House. You actually get to chair committees. You get to make the appointments. You get to make the decisions. Elections have consequences,” Youngkin said.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Glenn Youngkin” by Glenn Youngkin. Background Photo “Election” by Edmond Dantès.
