However, whatever the consequence, one factor is for positive: Youngkin is already a winner.
Sure, Youngkin needs to win the race over McAuliffe and, in so doing, turn out to be the primary Republican to win statewide within the commonwealth in additional than a decade. (Bob McDonnell was elected governor in 2009.)
And, sure, dropping this race — after a closing few weeks of the marketing campaign during which all of the momentum was on his aspect — can be a tough tablet for Youngkin to swallow.
However there is not any query that — win or narrowly lose — Youngkin has proved himself to be one thing of a rarity throughout the fashionable Republican Celebration: a candidate who can stroll the extraordinarily wonderful line between being Trump-y sufficient for the GOP base however not too Trump-y for independents and suburban swing voters.
Do not forget that only a 12 months in the past, Joe Biden cruised to a 10-point win over Donald Trump in Virginia, crushing the incumbent within the northern Virginia suburbs.
How has Youngkin prevented that very same destiny? Nicely, he undoubtedly advantages from Trump now not being in workplace and with out the megaphone of Twitter.
However he has additionally occurred into an unlikely message centered on a standard Democratic difficulty: training.
It is put McAuliffe on the defensive for the complete final month of the marketing campaign, a spot no candidate needs to be.
If Youngkin wins, anticipate him to begin being talked about on vice presidential shortlists for 2024 — though it stays to be seen whether or not sharing a ticket with Trump pursuits the business-minded Republican.
However even when Youngkin loses narrowly, he’s more likely to retain a task within the nationwide get together as a frontrunner within the ongoing efforts by the GOP to a) keep on Trump’s good aspect and b) compete in swing state elections.
The Level: Earlier than this marketing campaign, nobody in politics had heard of Glenn Youngkin. Now, win or lose, he is made a reputation for himself nationally.
