Jason Lange

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Republican Glenn Youngkin won the Virginia governor’s race on Wednesday. This could give his party a model for how to regain majorities in Congress in next year’s elections. He can win suburban moderate voters without alienating Donald Trump.

Republicans may find inspiration in the approach taken by a former executive from private equity to rally parents against the treatment of COVID-19 schools and their teaching about racism and the gender gap.

The next year’s midterm elections in the United States will decide which party controls Congress during the final two years of President Joe Biden’s term. Democrats hold razor thin majorities in both the House of Representatives (and Senate) Republicans would be able to stop most Democratic legislative priorities if they control even one of the chambers.

McAuliffe trailed Youngkin in opinion polls throughout the race. But that gap narrowed to an even heat during the final weeks. Meanwhile, Biden’s job approval rate fell to its lowest levels since the beginning of his presidency.

Youngkin (54), weighed in on Trump’s false claims that his defeat in 2020 was due to widespread fraud. He avoided the subject but he teamed up with Amanda Chase, Republican State Senator, who had previously embraced the idea.

He also supported Republican arguments saying that school curricula that address racism encourage “critical racism theory”, a legal school concept that holds that racism is deeply ingrained in U.S. laws and institutions, and that slavery and segregation created an unfair playing field for Black Americans.

While schools say that they do not incorporate the theory into their elementary or high school curriculums, they are working to meet the changing needs of the U.S. populace.

Youngkin also tried to keep Virginia’s moderate voter population from being turned off. Their growing numbers, especially in Washington suburbs, have made it easier for the Democratic Party in the South in four of the last presidential elections.

The TRICKY PATH

Youngkin’s victory could be an example for Republicans looking to walk the fine line when it comes to competitive congressional races next election.

Kyle Kondik, an analyst from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics stated that “it’s a complicated path.” Kondik stated that Youngkin was able to distance himself from Trump and made promises to increase election integrity to appeal to Trump voters.

Democrats found the race so crucial that Biden, former President Barack Obama, and other Democrats visited the state in order to support McAuliffe (64) during its last weeks. In the 20th century, Virginia elected only one Republican governor. Currently, both the Houses of the State Legislature are controlled by Democrats.

Youngkin was very vocal about Youngkin’s opposition to COVID-19 safety rules that require masks in Virginia classrooms.

The FBI is stepping up its counter-terrorism efforts against school board members following brawls between campaigners and board members over this year’s anti-racism topic.

Youngkin, a candidate for the Virginia Senate, stated, “It forces children to see everything through a lense of race,” at an Oct. 8 campaign stop in Chesterfield.

Former chief executive officer of Carlyle Group (NASDAQ:) Inc Youngkin pledged toughness on criminals. This rounding out a list of issues that observers consider to be tailored to Trump supporters, without alienating suburban moderates.

McAuliffe attempted to link Youngkin to Trump by running TV ads which juxtaposed Youngkin’s demands for greater election security with photos of Trump and the U.S. Capitol Riot.

Youngkin resisted those threats, saying it was wrong and “weird” that people who were at his rally pledged their allegiance at last month’s attack on Trump supporters during the Jan. 6 deadly assault on the U.S. capital.

Trump maintained a calm tone during Monday’s pro-Youngkin telephone-rally. Trump said Youngkin would help protect the suburbs while ignoring past warnings of fraud in Virginia’s elections. Youngkin didn’t participate in the rally.