An important off-year gubernatorial race is one coming up in Virginia, where former Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) is being opposed by a slick, deceptive Trumpist Republican, Glenn "Trumpkin" Youngkin. Youngkin is a mega-millionaire, the former CEO of the private equity firm The Carlyle Group, yet from his carefully produced ads, you would think he's a middle class dad you'd meet in the grocery store (like in one of his smarmy ads). Watching those ads, you might also think he's a "moderate" Republican in the Sen. Mitt "Mittens" Romney mold. That's what he'd like you to think, especially in the more moderately progressive Northern Virginia suburbs. He infamously admitted on a hidden camera that he couldn't express his extreme anti-choice views (think Texas) because it would alienate independent voters that he needs in those suburbs, saying wait until he's Governor.
Unfortunately for Youngkin's attempt to hide his extreme positions before the election (he refused to debate McAuliffe this summer likely because of that), his rabid right-wing supporters keep coming out of the woodwork to support him:
"Anti-LGBTQ and anti-choice religious-right groups and leaders are mobilizing to help Republican Glenn Youngkin win this year’s Virginia gubernatorial election in which voting is already underway.
Youngkin has bragged about endorsements from national religious-right groups, including the anti-choice Susan B. Anthony List and National Right to Life. Another right-wing anti-choice group, CatholicVote, told supporters in an email on the first day of early voting that the group had been 'planning for this race for months.' The group slammed Catholic Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe’s support for Roe v. Wade and told its followers that the race has 'national importance' and 'the first big high-profile referendum on the Biden presidency.' The group claimed that it had recruited more than 100 volunteers for its voter outreach efforts." (snip)
Youngkin has also been endorsed by FRC Action, a political arm of the anti-LGBTQ Family Research Council. Youngkin has publicly supported right-wing activists campaigning against LGBTQ-inclusive policies in Loudoun County schools, and he has promised religious-right activists to fight for policies that would allow anti-LGBTQ discrimination in the name of religious freedom. While some conservative gay activists have claimed that Youngkin is 'inclusive,' the candidate has refused to say whether he supports marriage equality." (our emphasis)
Youngkin is counting on voters in those Northern Virginia suburbs (as well as in other Dem and independent strongholds) to vote on the basis of his dishonest ads, and not pick up on his right-wing agenda and where his endorsements are coming from.
Voting is already underway in Virginia. If you're a citizen of the Commonwealth and have not yet voted, please go to the Department of Elections website for further information about casting your ballot. Early voting has been light so far, so we need Democrats and Democrat- leaners to cast their ballots as soon as possible to avoid issues on Election Day (November 2) and to make sure this Republican Trumpkin is defeated.
