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RICHMOND, Va. - Republican Glenn Youngkin defied Virginia’s blue-state drift Tuesday night when he won the Commonwealth’s hotly contested gubernatorial race, AP reports.
The Richmond-born businessman defeated former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe.
A Clinton confidante, McAuliffe served as governor from 2014-2018.
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Youngkin’s campaign seized on outrage over education in the Commonwealth, where suburban and rural jurisdictions have become increasingly concerned about so-called "Critical Race Theory," as well as the 1619 Project.
The campaign’s numerous ads included a line McAuliffe uttered, in which he says he doesn’t believe "parents should be telling schools what they should teach."
Youngkin drew a large crowd in Loudoun County, which encompasses Washington suburbs that have become the epicenter of parent activist groups who object to classroom curricula that include instruction about institutional racism.
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His pledge to ensure parents have greater say in what their kids are taught has become a centerpiece of his campaign — possibly foreshadowing similar arguments GOP candidates will use across the country next year.
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"This is a moment, a defining moment," Youngkin declared, "where we get to stand up and say no to this left, liberal, progressive agenda."
Youngkin’s win in Virginia ends the GOP’s 12-year losing streak in statewide races in Virginia.
McAuliffe’s campaign countered by painting Youngkin as a loyalist to former President Donald Trump, who is deeply unpopular in parts of Virginia.
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While Barack Obama and current President Joe Biden appeared in person on behalf of McAuliffe, Trump only campaigned for Youngkin via a tele-rally.