Anti-Trump Republicans desperately trying to draft Glenn Younkin for 2024 after chaotic second debate: Virginia governor says he’s ‘humiliated’ by donors’ frantic bid to get him on the ballot ahead of ‘Red Vests’ ‘-top
- Virginia’s Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, called it “humbling” that he is considered a viable candidate for the White House in 2024
- CBS News reported Thursday that Republican megadonors are pressuring Youngki to enter the race as they become “desperate to beat Trump.”
- The report comes after seven other Republican candidates for the White House participated in the Republican Party’s second primary debate
Virginia’s Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, said it is “humiliating” that anti-Trump donors are trying to convince him to enter the 2024 presidential race after Wednesday night’s chaotic second debate.
CBS Bob Costa sparked a firestorm Thursday when he said Republican billionaire superdonor Thomas Peterffy called to assure Youngkin he would receive financial support if he wanted to jump ship.
Youngkin has insisted he is not interested in running and is focusing on the November elections for the state Legislature.
But the disturbing performance of the seven candidates who took the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library has financiers looking for another option.
In addition, some of Youngkin’s top donors will gather at a “Red Vests” retreat in Virginia Beach Oct. 17-18 with plans to “push” Youngkin into the 2024 race, Costa said, as they grow “desperate to beat Trump ‘.
Appearing on Fox News on Thursday, Youngkin said he was still focused on the general election — an answer he has given for months when asked about 2024.
“I told you I’ve got you completely focused on the Virginia elections and that’s what we’re going to do,” Youngkin said.
Virginia’s Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, called it “humbling” that he is considered a viable candidate for the White House in 2024 as the movement to draft him gains momentum.
When asked if he felt a responsibility to his party and country to enter the race, he talked about how he felt surprised by his rapid political rise.
“Well, let me start with how humiliating this is,” Youngkin said. ’40 years ago I was washing the dishes and taking out the rubbish at the Belvedere hotel. And today people throw my name around in a national context.”
“I’m new to this. One campaign under my belt. I have been governor for 21 months. I think we’ve really moved things around in Virginia. It’s encouraging that people are watching and liking what we’re doing,” the governor continued.
Youngkin was elected in 2021, a bright spot for the Republican Party after President Joe Biden won the White House and Democrats won control of Congress.
He managed to keep Trump at an arm’s distance, but didn’t irritate him so much that he lost the support of Trump’s MAGA base.
Earlier Thursday, the Drudge Report teased that another Republican was about to step in and shake up the race.
The timing was notable, as it was the morning after the Republican Party’s second primary debate was held at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.
CBS’ Bob Costa reported Thursday that Republican billionaire superdonor Thomas Peterffy is calling other major donors in an effort to assure Youngkin that the money would be there if he wanted to step in after Virginia’s legislative elections in early November.