Youngkin approval spikes to 55%, boosts bid for GOP legislature and presidency

Virginia voters are split on which party they want to run Richmond after next month’s general assembly election, but Republicans have a secret weapon in their arsenal.

In an election in which 42% prefer Democratic candidates and 41% Republicans, which is a good showing for the GOP since the commonwealth turned liberal blue during the Obama era, it may come down to the popularity of Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA), and he’s just fine with that.

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In a just-released poll from the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University, Youngkin has a 55% approval rating, up 5 points from his January approval.

The survey analysis said, “One important backdrop to the legislative elections is the popularity of Governor Youngkin and President Biden, both of whom are likely to be on the minds of voters regardless of whether they are on the ballot. Governor Youngkin has relatively high approval at 55% while President Biden has fairly low approval among Virginia likely voters at 41%.”

Youngkin has been so focused on the legislative elections that he has ignored many of those urging him to run for the GOP presidential nomination. His party controls the House of Delegates, and Democrats have a four-seat advantage in the state Senate.

Youngkin has been traveling the state to win enough Senate seats and keep control of the House so that he can push through his agenda of reforms and tax cuts.

His popularity could be a boost for the GOP. In 2021, an unpopular Biden entered the state to help former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and failed.

The survey found that the economy and abortion rights are the top points in the election.

“Top-of-mind issues for likely voters in the upcoming election include the economy and inflation (27%), abortion (17%) and K-12 education (12%). Republicans largely coalesce around the economy (41%), while Democrats’ top issue is abortion (25%), and independents say the economy and inflation (30%), followed by abortion (16%),” the analysis said.

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Ads in many races are on those topics, though crime is also a top concern.

Wason said the November race is an important indicator of the direction of the 2024 election and could have an impact on Youngkin’s decision to make a late entry.

“The nation is watching as Virginia is one of only a handful of states that holds off-year elections. A strong showing for Republicans could provide a blueprint for the party nationally around how to discuss abortion and how to highlight K-12 education issues successfully. In addition, some suggest that if Republicans have a particularly strong showing in the state’s elections, Governor Youngkin may consider a late entry to the Republican presidential primary. If Republicans managed to take control of both chambers, this would also grant them a trifecta whereby the same party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governorship. This would ensure that Governor Youngkin could move forward with a conservative agenda without a Democratic veto,” it said.