Despite endorsements and high hopes from high ranking Democrats, Terry McAuliffe failed to win Virginia’s governor seat Tuesday night, losing to Republican Glenn Youngkin.
Despite endorsements and high hopes from high ranking Democrats, Terry McAuliffe failed to win Virginia's governor seat Tuesday night, losing to Republican Glenn Youngkin.
On Tuesday, just hours before election results began to roll in, President Joe Biden said that McAuliffe would win a "tight race" against Youngkin, according to Reuters.
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View on RumbleBiden expressed hope though, saying "We're going to win," according to The Washington Post.
Biden had appeared at a McAuliffe campaign event in Arlington last week, where the President was slammed for not wearing a mask amongst the crowd.
Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in a video campaign for McAuliffe that was distributed to more than 300 black churches across Virginia.
"I believe that my friend Terry McAuliffe is the leader Virginia needs at this moment," Harris said in the video.
She also appeared at a McAuliffe campaign event last month, telling voters that "what happens in Virginia will in large part determine what happens in 2022, 2024, and on."
Former President Barack Obama also issued a glowing endorsement of McAuliffe while on the campaign trail, telling a crowd in Richmond that "Go out there and fight and work because you're going to decide this election and the direction of Virginia and the direction of this country for generations to come. Don’t sit this one out," according to The Washington Post.
"I know he will make you proud as governor because he's already done it," Obama said.
Even White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki issued a sort of endorsement during a press conference, which promptly received an ethics complaint.
"We're going to do everything we can to help former Governor McAuliffe, and we believe in the agenda he's representing," said Psaki.
Despite these endorsements and more, Youngkin won the governor’s seat with 50.73 percent. McAuliffe received 48.58 percent of the vote, according to Decision Desk HQ.
"While last night we came up short, I am proud that we spent this campaign fighting for the values we so deeply believe in," said McAuliffe in a statement released Wednesday morning.
"Congratulations to Governor-Elect Glenn. Youngkin on his victory, I hope Virginians will join me in wishing the best to him and his family," he continued.
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