A one-time rising star in the Republican Party has been pinned with the blame for a string of losses in Virginia, and now he's getting iced out of roles in President Donald Trump's administration.
Top White House officials are expressing frustration with former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, accusing him of failing to adequately combat Democrats' successful redistricting referendum that could deliver the party as many as four additional House seats, reported Politico.
"The West Wing thinks Youngkin should have done more in Virginia," said one senior White House official. A person close to the White House went further, asserting that Youngkin bears direct responsibility for enabling the Democratic victory by leaving a special legislative session open.
"If Youngkin hadn't left the special session open, Louise Lucas would never have had the chance to ram through those maps," the source said, referencing the Democratic state senator who spearheaded the redistricting effort. "So he has some responsibility for losing these seats." Legal experts dispute whether governors possess the authority to adjourn sessions once commenced.
The recriminations represent yet another setback in Trump's ambitious mid-decade redistricting campaign, which has yielded a near-complete stalemate rather than the Republican gains the president envisioned. Democrats' Virginia success, combined with gains in California and a court-drawn seat in Utah, has essentially erased Republican advantages gained from maps redrawn in Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and Missouri.
Youngkin's political standing has deteriorated markedly. Previously mentioned as a potential candidate for Labor Secretary and Department of Homeland Security Secretary positions, he now faces exclusion from Trump administration opportunities.
"He doesn't have enough friends here," the White House official stated.
Youngkin's representatives defend his efforts, noting he contributed nearly $500,000 to Virginians for Fair Maps and conducted extensive campaigning across the state. His PAC executive director emphasized that Youngkin "made many stops across the Commonwealth from Wise to Virginia Beach to Leesburg to motivate the grassroots to vote no."
However, White House frustrations with Youngkin predate the redistricting loss. Officials cited his decision to clear the Republican primary for Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, whom they describe as a "terrible candidate" who "got smoked" in last year's gubernatorial election despite numerous warnings.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger soundly defeated Earle-Sears in November's election to flip control of the governor's mansion.