Republican mega-donors are reportedly planning to meet in Virginia Beach to discuss the possibility of luring Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin into running for president in 2024. This would be a major blow to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been seen as the frontrunner for the GOP nomination.
There are a few reasons why Youngkin is attractive to donors. First, he is a rising star in the Republican Party. He won the Virginia governorship in 2021, despite being a relative unknown at the time. Second, Youngkin has a moderate image, which could appeal to voters who are turned off by Trump. Third, Youngkin is from a key swing state, which could give him an advantage in the general election.
Youngkin has not yet ruled out a run for president, but he has said that he will wait until after the 2022 midterm elections to make a decision. If Youngkin does decide to run, he will likely have the financial support of many of the Republican Party’s biggest donors.
The potential entry of Youngkin into the race is bad news for DeSantis. DeSantis is currently the frontrunner for the GOP nomination, but he has been struggling to gain support among independent voters. DeSantis is also seen by some Republicans as being too extreme.
If Youngkin enters the race, he will likely split the vote among moderate and conservative Republicans. This could open the door for a third candidate, such as former Vice President Mike Pence or former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to win the nomination.
The meeting of Republican mega-donors in Virginia Beach is a major development in the 2024 presidential race. It is a sign that many Republicans are looking for an alternative to Trump and DeSantis. Youngkin is the most likely candidate to emerge from this meeting, and he would be a formidable contender in the Republican primary.