No longer a Democrat stronghold, Virginia's 2023 elections could be roadmap for GOP

Glenn Youngkin's 2021 gubernatorial victory in Virginia boosted Republicans, and now the GOP aims for total state government dominance

Paul Steinhauser  / Fox News

The marquee ballot box showdown this year may very well take place in Virginia rather than Kentucky, Louisiana or Mississippi, the three states with high-profile off-year gubernatorial elections.

Virginia is holding pivotal contests for legislative control in November, and Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin hopes to boot Democrats from their last stronghold in Richmond, where Democrats hold a slim majority in the state Senate. If Youngkin is successful, the governor would be able push forward a conservative agenda in a state that has been trending blue over the past two decades.

If Republicans succeed, it could boost Youngkin — a rising star in the GOP — toward a potential White House run, perhaps even next year. Just as importantly, the results in Virginia would be seen by the GOP as a bellwether ahead of next year’s presidential election, and the battles for control of the Senate and...Read more and see videos here.