Virginia Republican gubernatorial hopeful Glenn Youngkin on Monday appeared caught off guard after being asked during a radio interview about former President Donald Trump's plans to hold a phone-in rally for him.
While being interviewed on WTOP, the host interviewing Youngkin noted that he was choosing not to attend Trump's rally and then he asked how close he was to the former president.
"Well, not terribly," Youngkin said. "But again, what this is is Terry McAuliffe doing anything to get the spotlight off of his failed record as governor and to not run head-to-head with Glenn Youngkin. I'm on the ballot! And yes, President Trump is doing a teleconference for me tonight, and guess what: Governors across the nation did telecalls for me yesterday!"
During the campaign, Youngkin has tried to distance himself from Trump while keeping the focus on issues such as the purported teaching of critical race theory in Virginia schools.
Youngkin has not attended events that Trump has had for him, even as McAuliffe has welcomed President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama and other Democratic heavyweights to campaign with him in person.
Polls currently suggest a tight race for governor in Virginia, with Youngkin slightly favored over McAuliffe at the moment according to the latest polling averages.
Listen to the audio below.
