THE NEXT BIG GUY?  The governor of Virginia is making waves again.  Will he catch the big one? He has proven deadly in the past, turning Virginia from purple to red.  Some feel he is the man to watch if Trump starts to falter in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.  From Fox: 

Gov. Glenn Youngkin is hauling in big bucks ahead of November's closely watched legislative elections in Virginia as the Republican governor aims for total GOP control of the state government.

Youngkin's shattering of fundraising records in the commonwealth is sure to create even more buzz among some in the GOP donor class who want the popular governor to consider a late entry into the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race.

Youngkin hauled in $4.4 million in 48 hours this week for his Spirit of Virginia PAC, officials with the group told Fox News. That brings to $7.45 million the amount of money Youngkin has raked in through the group in the final quarter of fundraising ahead of the Nov. 7 elections.

Officials with the PAC highlight that Youngkin's haul is nearly five times greater than the previous fundraising record, which was the $1.6 million then-Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe raised in 2015.

Youngkin energized Republicans nationwide with his 2021 election victory. That is when he edged out McAuliffe — who was seeking to win back his old job — to become the first GOP nominee in a dozen years to win a gubernatorial election in Virginia, a one-time swing state that has trended Democratic over the past decade.

Republicans also swept the races for lieutenant governor and attorney general, and narrowly captured the majority in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Youngkin aims to hold the GOP majority in the House and recapture control of the state Senate, where Democrats currently hold a fragile majority. Total Republican control of the state government in Richmond would allow Youngkin to push through his conservative agenda.

COMMENT:  A terrific guy, and a fine governor, and someone who would make a very good president.  However, Trump stands in the way, and Youngkin could very well have his eyes on 2028, when the way will be more clear.

I wouldn't rule him in or out.  I would rule him a man to be watched, very carefully.

October 5, 2023