Youngkin Adds Another Loss to His List of Failed Endorsements

With Republican Kevin Adams’ loss in the Virginia special election for state senate, Glenn Youngkin is adding yet another name to his laundry list of candidates who failed after receiving his endorsement.

Adams’ loss makes it more difficult for Youngkin to pass the abortion ban he’s been pushing for.

Washington Post: “The election, to fill the swing-district seat vacated by Republican Jen A. Kiggans after she was elected to Congress in November, occurs against the backdrop of a proposal by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to ban the procedure in Virginia after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest and to preserve the mother’s life.

But Youngkin, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, has hinted that he is willing to go further. At a gathering in June to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide, Youngkin said he believes life begins at conception, and he said he would ‘gleefully’ sign ‘any bill [to protect life] that comes to my desk.’”

Virginia Republicans can’t rely on Youngkin to carry them over the finish line, as extremists Yesli Vega and Hung Cao — both of whom he endorsed — lost their respective congressional races.

Inside NoVa: Cruz, Youngkin rally for Yesli Vega in Dumfries

Fauquier Now: Gov. Youngkin rallies for congressional candidate Hung Cao in Warrenton

Adams now joins Youngkin’s losing endorsement club, which includes prominent election deniers Kari Lake and Tudor Dixon.

Washington Post: “[Youngkin] avoided acknowledging Biden’s legitimacy until after winning the primary, and avoided saying whether he would have voted to certify the electoral college vote if he were in Congress … Now, as Youngkin has met with donors considering a presidential bid, he’s campaigning with gubernatorial candidates who have unabashedly run on Trump’s election lies, such as Kari Lake in Arizona and Tudor Dixon in Michigan.”

In Maine, Youngkin embraced former governor-turned failed gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage, who called to restrict abortion access in the Pine Tree State and called Black and Hispanic people “the enemy.”

Washington Post: Youngkin to boost Maine’s LePage despite racially incendiary rhetoric

Maine Beacon: LePage expresses support for abortion restrictions, opposition to raising wages

News Center Maine: “‘I don’t have time for abortion. It’s that simple,’ LePage said.”

Youngkin’s endorsement fell just as flat in New Mexico, where he backed anti-abortion Republican Mark Ronchetti.

Santa Fe New Mexican: Virginia governor Youngkin stumps for Ronchetti in New Mexico

MarkRonchetti.com: “Life should be protected – at all stages. With respect to abortion, he is strongly pro-life.”

As Youngkin continues to seek to raise his national profile ahead of the 2024 Republican primary, his track record of supporting extremists and losers speaks to the Virginia governor’s own agenda and political weakness.