Major Republican Governor Is Stepping Away From Challenging Donald Trump In 2024

On Saturday, The New York Times reported that Gov. Glenn Youghkin (R-VA), who won as a Republican in a blue state in early 2021, will likely not challenge Donald Trump in 2024 for the Republican presidential nomination.

The Virginia governor explained that he is focusing on Virginia in hopes of flipping the state legislature to Republican after a series of scandals in K-12 education led to his groundbreaking victory two years ago, the Times reported.

When he was asked about his aspirations last week, the 56-year-old said, “Listen, I didn’t write a book, and I’m not in Iowa or New Hampshire or South Carolina.”

“I am wholly focused on the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I’m looking forward to these elections,’’ he added, emphasizing that gaining a majority in the 140 seat legislature “is what this year is all about.”

Youghkin is the second big name to show that they are not going to be entering the presidential race against Trump. Last week, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced he would be sitting out of the race as well.

“Susan and I have concluded, after much consideration and prayer, that I will not present myself as a candidate to become President of the United States in the 2024 election,” Pompeo wrote in a statement, as previously reported by the DC Enquirer.

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“The time is not right for me and my family. At each stage of my public service – as a soldier, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and then as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and as your Secretary of State – I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to advance America in a way that fits the time and the moment,” he wrote. “This is not that time or that moment for me to seek elected office again.”

Pompeo then went on to explain that he will focus on being a parent to his children and remain active in his local community.

He explained that some would be disappointed in his decision, but he asked that they “don’t stop praying…for America to remain as a beacon to those seeking life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Both Pompeo and Youghkin had minimal support in national polling which likely has fueled their unwillingness to enter the already contested race. Thus far Republican primary voters will have to choose between at least five declared candidates: Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Asa Hutchinson.

Other potential candidates include Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) who has yet to enter the race but routinely appears second in polling. Nonetheless, Youghkin not entering the race is one more Republican that President Trump doesn’t have to worry about on his way to the nomination.

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