ROANOKE, Va. – Watch this story live on 10 News at 11.
A new video posted on Governor Youngkin’s personal Twitter account is raising the eyebrows of some political pundits.
Lynchburg University political science professor Dr. David Richards said the video looks like any other campaign video we’re used to seeing.
“My initial reaction is a man who looks like a presidential ad. I think what we’ve seen over the last few weeks is an opening that Youngkin can somehow exploit,” Richards said.
Dr. Brandy Faulkner of Virginia Tech had a very similar reaction when she first saw the video.
“He seemed to come out of nowhere unless he could hint that he, too, intends to seek the Republican nomination,” Faulkner said.
This week is shaping up to be a big one for the Republican primary as other candidates are officially throwing their names on the ballot. US Senator Tim Scott officially announced his campaign in South Carolina on Monday. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also tipped to announce his campaign sometime this week.
While Youngkin’s video doesn’t explicitly state that the presidency is the goal, it does paint a very “presidential” picture, with statements like, “We can usher in a new era of American values.”
The video was paid for by Spirit of Virginia, Youngkin’s Political Action Committee. Committee Chair and Youngkin Senior Advisor Dave Rexrode had this to say about the video:
“The governor. Youngkin is 100 percent focused on Virginia, as he has made clear repeatedly. This was a video highlighting his remarks at the Reagan Library recently, where the governor talked about how Virginia was one of the bright lights of our nation’s future.”
Committee Chair and Youngkin Senior Advisor Dave Rexrode
Spirit of Virginia also told 10 News the video is meant to let viewers know what kind of leader Governor Youngkin is. They say it will be important in competitive Senate and state delegate races. However, the video does not mention Virginia, not once.
“It seems awfully broad and generic. It’s not talking about Virginia per se. It’s not talking about making Virginia a better place, it’s talking about making America a better place,” Richards said.
There have been rumors that Governor Youngkin is also eyeing a possible vice presidential run. Richards doesn’t believe the rumor.
“The VP angle doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. If anything I think Youngkin is just trying to say, ‘Hey, I’m still here, remember me.'” You might not hear much between now and 2024, but stay tuned to 2028,” Richards said.
You can watch the full video below.
It’s time to usher in a new era of American values. It is up to us to choose life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. pic.twitter.com/IH8enValL5B
— Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) May 18, 2023
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