“Alrighty Virginia, we won this thing!” Glenn Youngkin shouted early Wednesday while addressing his supporters.
Youngkin (R) won the Virginia governor’s race, defeating Terry McAuliffe, a former governor of Virginia, as The Associated Press (AP) projected.
In a victory speech around 1 a.m., Youngkin said in Chantilly, Virginia, “Let’s climb that hill together. Let’s reinvigorate our future, let’s reinvigorate this amazing commonwealth of Virginia. Together, together, together, together we can build a new day, a new day for Virginians where yes, we soar and we never settle.”
BREAKING: Republican Glenn Youngkin wins election for governor in Virginia. #APracecall at 12:37 a.m. EDT. #Election2021 #VAelection
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 3, 2021
His victory is the first time a Republican won statewide office in Virginia since 2009.
The elections results “ultimately pointed to a potentially painful year ahead for Democrats as they try to maintain thin majorities in Congress. The mood among Republicans was celebratory,” as AP reported.
McAuliffe failed at his attempt to tie Youngkin to former President Donald Trump, as CNN notes.
“This is the spirit of Virginia, coming together like never before,” said Glenn Youngkin, a Republican who beat former Gov. Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia governor's race, darkening Democrats’ outlook for the 2022 midterms. https://t.co/B6GoclYWD5 pic.twitter.com/Lk1PD6XxR8
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 3, 2021
Youngkin received congratulations from several lawmakers, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
Additionally, former Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter, “Congratulations to Governor [Glenn Youngkin] on a HUGE victory! Glenn will serve the people of Old Dominion well with common sense Conservative policies that will benefit parents, families, and hard-working Virginians! The Conservative Comeback is HERE!”
Congratulations to Governor @GlennYoungkin on a HUGE victory! Glenn will serve the people of Old Dominion well with common sense Conservative policies that will benefit parents, families, and hard-working Virginians! The Conservative Comeback is HERE! 🇺🇸
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) November 3, 2021
Congratulations to @GlennYoungkin & Suzanne!
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 3, 2021
A great victory for Virginia, and for our Nation.
A powerful wind of change is blowing….
The spirit of Liberty is moving….
God’s blessings are bountiful, and hope is abundant. pic.twitter.com/MLPxLprQd1
.@GlennYoungkin VICTORY PARTY…NOW!! pic.twitter.com/sAYrJzys51
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 3, 2021
I was proud to endorse @GlennYoungkin. His win tonight is a clear and much needed signal for personal freedom and that parents are the deciders of their children’s education and future.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 3, 2021
Congratulations to Glenn Youngkin, Winsome Sears, and Jason Miyares on their resounding victories. Virginians will benefit from their leadership.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) November 3, 2021
Thank you to Biden & Garland for the assist! Concerned parents don't like being called domestic terrorists. Who could've guessed?
Congratulations Virginia. Amazing.
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) November 3, 2021
Trump also claimed in a statement that without “my base” Youngkin would not have won, “I would like to thank my BASE for coming out in force and voting for Glenn Youngkin. Without you, he would not have been close to winning. The MAGA movement is bigger and stronger than ever before.”
NEW!
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) November 3, 2021
President Donald J. Trump:
"I would like to thank my BASE for coming out in force and voting for Glenn Youngkin. Without you, he would not have been close to winning. The MAGA movement is bigger and stronger than ever before… pic.twitter.com/c8Si5jwZTb
Youngkin’s win was called “stunning” as Tuesday was labeled “grim” for Democrats by The Hill. As the outlet writes, “One thing’s for sure: Republicans are as of today on course to take back control of Congress in next year’s midterms.”
In New Jersey, the governor’s race was too close to call, as of early Wednesday morning, according to AP. Republican Jack Ciattarelli and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) were “separated by about 1,200 votes out of more than 2.3 million cast.”
UPDATE [11/3/21, 10:05 a.m. EST]:
McAuliffe conceded to Youngkin on Wednesday. He wrote in a statement, “Congratulations to Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin on his victory. I hope Virginians will join me in wishing the best to him and his family.”