Youngkin: "I'm out."

[George K]

Probably:

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the Republican whose surprising election in a blue-trending state set off instant talk of a presidential run, has tapped the brakes on 2024, telling advisers and donors that his sole focus is on Virginia’s legislative elections in the fall.

Mr. Youngkin hopes to flip the state legislature to a Republican majority. That could earn him a closer look from rank-and-file Republicans across the country, who so far have been indifferent to the presidential chatter surrounding him in the news media, and among heavyweight donors he would need to keep pace alongside more prominent candidates. He has yet to crack 1 percent in polls about the potential Republican field.

Backing away for now is also a bow to political reality. Mr. Youngkin has a shortage of clean conservative victories in the divided Virginia legislature, compared with, say, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who stole much of Mr. Youngkin’s thunder on “parents’ rights” issues in education.

An effort by Mr. Youngkin last year to raise his profile by campaigning for Republicans around the country fizzled when most proved too extreme for voters and lost their races.
Tellingly, Mr. Youngkin’s two top political advisers, who guided his gubernatorial victory and were mapping out a 2024 strategy, both took jobs this month with a super PAC that supports the presidential candidacy of Mr. DeSantis.

[Jolly]

Another moderate Republican bites the campaign dust.

[LuFins Dad]

Youngkin is hardly a moderate Republican. Certainly not along the lines of Cheney or Romney.

I think it still has a lot to do with what happens in the VA Legislature this fall.

[George K]

@LuFins-Dad said in Youngkin: "I'm out.":

I think it still has a lot to do with what happens in the VA Legislature this fall.

And he wants to see how 2024 shakes out. If Biden wins, he's well positioned for 2028. If Biden loses, what's another 4 years?

[Jolly]

IIRC, Virginia governors can only serve one term...

[George K]

@Jolly said in Youngkin: "I'm out.":

IIRC, Virginia governors can only serve one term...

"Unlike other state governors, Virginia governors are not allowed to serve consecutive terms. They have been barred from immediate re-election since the adoption of Virginia's second constitution, in 1830. However, a former governor is permitted to run for a second term in a future election. Only two governors since 1830, William Smith and Mills Godwin, were elected to additional terms."

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Virginia

[LuFins Dad]

@Jolly said in Youngkin: "I'm out.":

IIRC, Virginia governors can only serve one term...

Correct, the general assumption is that if he’s not on the ticket, he will be gunning for the Senate seat up in 2024.