Samuel Case, FISM News

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Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin shrugged off questions about running for president in 2024 during a CNN Town Hall Thursday night, saying his focus is on Virginia. 

“I have a big job, I love my job,” Youngkin said to CNN host Jake Tapper who asked about Youngkin’s plans for 2024. “Thank you for hiring me, thank you for letting me come to work every day and go to work for 8.7 million Virginians. That’s what my focus is right now, and I believe there is an enormous amount of work yet to do in Virginia.”  

The governor also defended his stance against critical race theory and transgender athletes in girl’s sports, while saying he supports removing sexually explicit books from elementary schools.

Youngkin, who is term-limited under Virginia law, has not publicly indicated any interest in a presidential bid. But the governor’s massive war chest has led to speculation that he may have plans to run. 

Former President Donald Trump, who hopes to secure the Republican presidential nomination, appears to believe Youngkin has aspirations for the White House, taking swipes at the governor. 

“Young Kin (now that’s an interesting take. Sounds Chinese, doesn’t it?) in Virginia couldn’t have won without me,” Trump said of the governor in a November Truth Social post. “I Endorsed him, did a very big Trump Rally for him telephonically, got MAGA to Vote for him — or he couldn’t have come close to winning.”

Last month, a top political adviser to governor Younkin, Jeff Roe, described the upcoming Republican primaries as a “two-person race between Donald Trump and [Florida Governor] Ron DeSantis.”

“But politics changes and a year is a lifetime in politics,” he added, saying if Youngkin chose to run “he will make a lane for himself.”