REPUBLICAN Glenn Youngkin has defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the tight race to be Governor of Virginia, with the race having massive implications for President Joe Biden.
McAuliffe, who served as governor from 2014 to 2018, failed to stave off disaster in a state that has become reliable Democratic territory in recent years.
Joe Biden carried Virginia by a comfortable 10 percentage points last year, but Youngkin’s campaign has succeeded, with Youngkin becoming the first Republican to win a statewide race since 2009.
“This is a moment for Virginians to push back on this left, liberal, progressive agenda,” Youngkin, a former private equity executive, told a rally at an airport hangar outside Richmond.
Donald Trump, who slammed McAuliffe as part of what he called the radical Democratic Party that is out of touch with the state’s voters, said a GOP victory would send “a great, great, strong message” to President Joe Biden and other Democratic leaders in Washington.
Read our Virginia election live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Joseph Gamp
WHEN DID AP CALL THE ELECTION?
The Associated Press called the race just before 1am EST.
The race was close, with Youngkin capturing only 50.9 percent of the vote, and McAuliffe returning 48.4 percent.
- Joseph Gamp
WHEN IS YOUNGKIN LIKELY TO TAKE OFFICE AS VIRGINIA GOVERNOR?
Youngkin is expected to be inaugurated as the 74th governor of Virginia on January 15, 2022.
He will succeed Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat. Under Virginia state law, governors cannot serve consecutive terms.
Virginia's race offered a possible preview of next year's elections.
Culture wars dominated the campaign, with Youngkin promising to give parents more control over how public schools handle race, gender and Covid-19 rules.
- Joseph Gamp
WHAT IS YOUNGKIN'S NET WORTH?
Forbes estimates Glenn Youngkin's wealth to be about $440 million.
This has helped him in his bid to become governor of Virginia as he has contributed $20 million to his own campaign.
This huge sum has paid for top-tier G.O.P. consultants plus many TV ads.
But Youngkin also benefited from boosted turnout in rural, Republican-leaning areas in central and western parts of Virginia, where he took a larger share of the vote than Ed Gillespie, the losing Republican candidate for governor in 2017.
- Joseph Gamp
WHO IS GLENN YOUNGKIN?
The 54-year-old father-of-four, who stands at six foot seven inches, is the Republican governor-elect of Virginia after winning his first bid for office on November 3, 2021.
Virtually unknown a year ago, he pitched himself during the election campaign as a businessman and a political outsider.
Born on December 9, 1966, he was reared in Richmond and Virginia Beach and won a basketball scholarship at Rice University.
Here he earned an engineering degree before earning a MBA from Harvard University.
Youngkin then worked 25 years at the Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm.
He retired in 2020 as CEO after taking the company public.
Today he lives in Great Falls, Virginia, with his wife Suzanne and three sons and one daughter.
- Joseph Gamp
REPUBLICAN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SECURES VICTORY
Winsome Sears, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Virginia, has claimed victory in her battle against Democrat Hala Ayala.
Ms Sears, who served in the legislature for a single term two decades ago and was attempting a political comeback. Either also would be the first woman of color to be elected to statewide office in Virginia.
While the Associated Press had not called the down-ballot races, Republicans were claiming victoy. Ms Sears stood with her family in front of cheering supporters at a victory party in Chantilly, saying, "What you are looking at is the American Dream."
Ms Ayala did not concede defeat early Wednesday morning.
Either would be the first woman of colour elected to statewide office in Virginia, and the first female lieutenant governor.
- Joseph Gamp
WHO BACKED YOUNGKIN?
Republican Glenn Youngkin has been projected the winner of the Virginia gubernatorial election, defeating his rival Terry McAuliffe.
Exit polls conducted by NBC revealed that 66 percent of white men backed Youngkin, compared to 33 percent who voted for McAuliffe.
The Republican was backed by 54 percent of Virginians over the age of 65, and 52 percent of people in the age categories 40-49 and 50-64.
Six in 10 voters with no college degree broke for Youngkin, according to the exit polls.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Joseph Gamp
‘MCAULIFFE NOT CONCEDED’
Terry McAuliffe hasn’t appeared to concede the race to become Virginia’s next governor when he addressed his supporters.
News networks across the US have called the race in favor of McAuliffe’s rival Glenn Youngkin
Speaking at an election event Tuesday, McAuliffe said: “We’ve still got a lot of votes to count. We’re going to continue to count the votes because every single Virginian deserves to have their vote counted.”
On Twitter, the Democratic candidate thanked his supporters who “knocked doors and made phone calls” during the campaign.
- Joseph Gamp
MORE THAN 1MILLION VOTES CASTED IN VIRGINIA
Christopher Piper, commissioner for the Virginia Department of Elections, revealed that just this morning, more than 1million votes in the state were already casted.
He also shared that more than 5.9 million voters are registered in the state, meaning nearly 20% have casted their ballots.
- Joseph Gamp
MIKE PENCE CONGRATULATES YOUNGKIN
Former vice president Mike Pence has congratulated Virginia governor-elect Glenn Youngkin.
Youngkin defeated Democratic rival Terry McAuliffe in a state that Joe Biden won by ten points in 2020.
Mike Pence tweeted: “Congratulations to Governor Glenn Youngkin on a HUGE victory!
“Glenn will serve the people of Old Dominion well with common sense Conservative policies that will benefit parents, families, and hard-working Virginians! The Conservative Comeback is HERE.”
- Joseph Gamp
WHO IS GLENN YOUNGKIN'S WIFE SUZANNE?
In one of his recent Instagram posts, Glenn Youngkin wrote, "Suzanne has been God’s greatest gift to me. Her grace, love, and support have been the biggest blessing on this journey.
“Not only has she had a successful career co-founding Virginia Ready, serving as the President of the Phos Foundation, and founding Normandy Farms, but she has also led our family in raising four kids in Great Falls.
“She makes me better every day. Suzanne, you have taught me so much through your courage and strength over the past nine months of this campaign and 27 years of marriage.
“I am blessed to have you on this journey with me. I love you, Suzy-Q."
- Joseph Gamp
YOUNGKIN PROMISES TO GET TO WORK STRAIGHT AWAY
In a speech to cheering fans, Mr Youngkin promised to get to work straight away to transform the state.
"We work in real people time, not government time," the Republican declared.
- Joseph Gamp
YOUNGKIN PROJECTED AS WINNER
Republican Glenn Youngkin has been elected as Virginia's next governor in a major upset, according to US media projections.
He was 2.1 points ahead of Democrat Terry McAuliffe, with 99% of votes counted.
Mr McAuliffe, who served as governor from 2014-18, saw his opinion poll lead vanish in recent weeks.
The ballot has been widely seen as a referendum on Joe Biden's presidency, and defeat will unnerve the Democrats.
Mr Biden won by 10 points in Virginia in the presidential election just a year ago.
- Joseph Gamp
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME A REPUBLICAN WON IN VIRGINIA?
Youngkin is the first Republican to win a statewide race since 2009.
- Chris Bradford
YOUNGKIN: 'WE ARE GOING TO START THE TRANSFORMATION ON DAY ONE'
Victorious Glenn Youngkin told Virginians that it’s “their moment” as he vowed to “start the transformation on day one” after he defeated Terry McAuliffe in the race to become the state’s next governor.
News networks across the country have called the race but McAuliffe is yet to formally concede.
Youngkin told supporters in Chantilly: “We stand here this morning at this defining moment, a defining moment that yes started with two people on a walk, and a defining moment that is million of Virginians walking together.
“Together we will change the trajectory of the commonwealth and friends, we are going to start that transformation on day one.”
Youngkin promised Virginians that the state will be a “commonwealth of high expectations”.
- Chris Bradford
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NEW JERSEY?
Voters in New Jersey also went to the polls on Tuesday as they mulled over whether to give incumbent governor Phil Murphy a second term.
Opinion polls predicted a relatively comfortable victory for Murphy but his Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli has outperformed expectations.
With 88 percent of votes reported, Ciattarelli has a narrow lead of just over 1,100 votes, according to the latest data from the New York Times.
But commentators predict there are a lot of Democrat-leaning mail-in ballots which could tip the race in Murphy’s favor.
- Chris Bradford
WHO BACKED YOUNGKIN?
Republican Glenn Youngkin has been projected the winner of the Virginia gubernatorial election, defeating his rival Terry McAuliffe.
Exit polls conducted by NBC revealed that 66 percent of white men backed Youngkin, compared to 33 percent who voted for McAuliffe.
The Republican was backed by 54 percent of Virginians over the age of 65, and 52 percent of people in the age categories 40-49 and 50-64.
Six in 10 voters with no college degree broke for Youngkin, according to the exit polls.
Youngkin was popular among white men and seniors, exit polls revealCredit: Getty Images – Getty - Chris Bradford
‘MCAULIFFE NOT CONCEDED'
Terry McAuliffe hasn't appeared to concede the race to become Virginia's next governor when he addressed his supporters.
News networks across the US have called the race in favor of McAuliffe's rival Glenn Youngkin
Speaking at an election event Tuesday, McAuliffe said: “We’ve still got a lot of votes to count. We’re going to continue to count the votes because every single Virginian deserves to have their vote counted.”
On Twitter, the Democratic candidate thanked his supporters who “knocked doors and made phone calls” during the campaign.
- Chris Bradford
YOUNGKIN A ‘ROCKSTAR’ AS GOP POLITICIANS CONGRATULATE GOVERNOR-ELECT
Dozens of Republican politicians have congratulated Glenn Youngkin as he defeated Terry McAuliffe in the race to become the next Virginia governor.
Sen. Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, said: “Congratulations to Glenn Youngkin, Winsome Sears, and Jason Miyares on their resounding victories. Virginians will benefit from their leadership.”
Sears and Miyares will be sworn in as the state’s lieutenant governor and attorney general next year.
Senator Rand Paul says he was “proud” to endorse Youngkin.
He tweeted: “His win tonight is a clear and much-needed signal for personal freedom and that parents are the deciders of their children’s education and future.”
And, Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, said: “Congratulations to Glenn Youngkin. He is a Rockstar and I have full confidence that he will make Virginia proud.”
- H. J. Hayes
PUNDITS POINT TO 'ENTHUSIASM GAP' IN MCAULIFFE RESULTS
- Chris Bradford
WHAT ISSUES DID YOUNGKIN CAMPAIGN ON?
Glenn Youngkin defeated Terry McAuliffe in the race to become the next governor of Virginia.
But what issues did he run on?
Youngkin backed a business-friendly approach to the state's economy.
He opposed mask and vaccine mandates.
And he promised to ban the teaching of critical race theory in schools.
Critical race theorists maintain that legal institutions in the US “function to create and maintain social, economic, and political inequalities between whites and nonwhites, especially African Americans,” as defined by Britannica.
- Chris Bradford
POMPEO: 'YOUNGKIN DELIVERED A MAJOR WIN FOR VIRGINIANS'
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Glenn Youngkin delivered a major win for Republicans and Virginians.
The Republican candidate won the Virginia governor's race on Wednesday and became the first GOP politician to win statewide office in 12 years.
Mike Pompeo says Youngkin delivered a "major win for Republicans and Virginians".
He added: "Looking forward to working with him to champion American values."
Pompeo served as US Secretary of State between 2018 and 2021 during the Trump administration.
- Chris Bradford
MIKE PENCE CONGRATULATES YOUNGKIN
Former vice president Mike Pence has congratulated Virginia governor-elect Glenn Youngkin.
Youngkin defeated Democratic rival Terry McAuliffe in a state that Joe Biden won by ten points in 2020.
Mike Pence tweeted: "Congratulations to Governor Glenn Youngkin on a HUGE victory!
"Glenn will serve the people of Old Dominion well with common sense Conservative policies that will benefit parents, families, and hard-working Virginians! The Conservative Comeback is HERE."
- H. J. Hayes
TRUMP QUESTIONED VIRGINIA ELECTION BEFORE VOTING BEGAN
Former President Donald Trump and some of his supporters are reportedly already questioning the accuracy of the Virginia election.
“The Virginia governor’s election — you better watch it,” Trump said in an interview with John Fredericks, back in September.
“You have a close race in Virginia, but it’s not close if they cheat.”
- Alex Winter
NO MENTION OF TRUMP
As on the campaign trail, Youngkin didn't mention the name "Trump" overnight.
Instead, the Republican spoke about what has become his defining campaign issue – schools.
"We are going to restore excellence in our schools," he said.
"We are going to introduce choice in our public school system.
"Friends, we're going to embrace our parents, not ignore them. We're going to press forward with a curriculum that includes listening to parents' input."
- H. J. Hayes
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME A REPUBLICAN WON IN VIRGINIA?
Youngkin is the first Republican to win a statewide race since 2009.
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