Will Glenn Youngkin run for President?

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-Va.) continues to attract attention from the Republican donor class, as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) fades rapidly. Next week the Virginia governor will host a two-day “retreat” at the seaside resort town of Virginia Beach. There, wealthy donors will try strenuously to draft him to challenge President Donald J. Trump for the 2024 Presidential nomination.

Glenn Youngkin raising, shuffling money

Ron DeSantis has very little money, and is campaigning from fundraiser to fundraiser. He’s also lost a lot of prestige. Witness the Governor of Iowa not sharing her Harvest Festival stage with him today.

But Glenn Youngkin, who will host his Red Vest Retreat at Virginia Beach’s Cavalier Hotel on October 17-18, seems to be rolling in it and raking it in. A week ago, his Spirit of Virginia PAC received a $2 million donation from investor Jeff Yass. (Source: WRIC-TV, Channel 8, ABC, Richmond, Virginia. It may or may not be significant that Yass’ firm owns a 15 percent stake in TikTok. Last year Youngkin banned TikTok from all Virginia devices and networks, citing national security concerns.) Spirit of Virginia took in a total of $4.4 million last week, including Yass’ $2 million. In fact, The Washington Times said Youngkin had raised $7.45 million in the third quarter.

The Virginia governor has spent some of that money on get-out-the-vote ads for the upcoming Virginia General Assembly elections. For example, he has a five-second YouTube spot highlighting this dubious legislative achievement of his predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam (D): a law that mandates that Virginia adopt California automobile standards. That includes a mandate that all cars sold in Virginia be battery-powered electric by 2030.

But that money could also go to a Presidential run. Forbes quoted The Washington Post as saying wealthy donors want an alternative to Trump. And they think Glenn Youngkin will be their man.

Laura Loomer hears a rumor

Laura Loomer, two mornings ago, noticed the stark contrast between the financial conditions of DeSantis’ and Youngkin’s PACs:

In the “see more” text, she says DeSantis was charging only $100 a plate or $900 for a ten-place table. In contrast, The Virginia Pilot notes that the Red Vest Retreat (named for Gov. Youngkin’s trademark vest he wore during his campaign for governor) will have considerably more money behind it.

Yesterday evening, Loomer speculated that Youngkin would make no move until after Virginia’s off-year election. She insists that Glenn Youngkin is “moving A LOT of PAC money around,” as DeSantis did earlier this year.

Youngkin has done much to enhance his reputation this year, including:

• Exempting groceries and certain personal hygiene products from Virginia’s sales tax, and
• Reviewing Advanced Placement African-American Studies courses for appropriateness and historical accuracy, after Gov. DeSantis did the same.

But Virginia remains an abortion tourist trap. Democrats in Virginia, to judge from their advertising, want to keep it that way. Youngkin plans to limit abortions to 15 weeks’ gestation.

Gov. DeSantis faced charges of hypocrisy after he announced a campaign for President, after assuring Florida voters he wouldn’t. Glenn Youngkin never made any definitive promises along that line – and indeed Constitutionally not seek immediate re-election.

About the image

“Glenn Youngkin Headshot (cropped 2)” by Kate Magee Joyce for Glenn Youngkin from Virginia, United States is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 .