Republican Glenn Youngkin wins Virginia governor’s race

Virginia voters chose Republican Glenn Youngkin as their next governor, a dramatic reversal for a state that had appeared solidly Democratic in recent years and a significant loss for President Biden and the party’s establishment.

Former Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe came up short in his bid to become only the second Virginia governor since the Civil War to win a second term, with key suburban districts joining rural parts of the state in favoring Youngkin by a narrow margin.

Republicans appeared to sweep the other statewide races, with Winsome Sears winning for lieutenant governor and Del. Jason Miyares (Virginia Beach) for attorney general. Sears would be the first Black woman elected statewide in Virginia and Miyares the first Latino. A red wave also washed through the House of Delegates, turning a 55-45 Democratic majority into what appears likely to be at least a 50-50 split, and possibly a Republican majority.

The victories, projected by the Associated Press and Edison Research, come only a year after Biden carried Virginia over Donald Trump by 10 points, a wild swing that casts doubt on Democrats’ agenda in Richmond and Washington alike.

Youngkin is now a bright new star for the GOP — a basketball-playing business tycoon who navigated the trickiest path in politics, appealing to moderate voters while still bringing out the most enthusiastic followers of Trump.