When Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia discovered that Republican analysis had linked the G.O.P.’s nominee for lieutenant governor to a weblog that includes pictures of bare males, he tried to avoid wasting his get together from an embarrassing state of affairs.
Mr. Youngkin referred to as the candidate, John Reid, a longtime conservative discuss radio host in Richmond, and advised him he wanted to desert his marketing campaign as a result of the web site was sure to be found and would tank the get together’s complete ticket.
“I would like you to drop out,” Mr. Youngkin mentioned, in accordance with two individuals briefed on the decision.
Then a humorous factor occurred. Mr. Reid didn’t stop. As a substitute, he posted a five-minute video to social media noting that he’s homosexual and explaining that he had watched pornography and had one-night stands prior to now. The Republican base in Virginia rapidly rallied round him.
It additionally revealed a surprising lack of political juice from Mr. Youngkin, who has been thought-about a possible Republican presidential candidate for the reason that day he gained election as governor in 2021. A rich former personal fairness government, he’s extensively credited with saving Virginia Republicans from oblivion and, since his victory, has rebuilt and funded a lot of the state get together.
The contretemps comes as Democrats are closely favored to win the November election for governor of Virginia, one among this yr’s marquee races. Solely as soon as since 1977 have Virginia voters elected a governor of the identical get together because the president.
Virginia Democrats are particularly optimistic this yr as a result of Mr. Trump is very unpopular within the state, which has borne the brunt of federal authorities layoffs. Mr. Youngkin, who can’t run once more due to time period limits, is backing Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears as his Republican successor — however she has raised lower than half as a lot cash because the Democratic nominee, former Consultant Abigail Spanberger.
The controversy has divided Virginia Republicans and additional dented their hopes. When Mr. Youngkin maneuvered to push out Mr. Reid, the get together’s MAGA base rapidly labeled the governor an institution stooge.
“It’s 5 to 1,” mentioned John Fredericks, a right-wing discuss radio host who has a every day present syndicated throughout Virginia. “They need Reid to remain within the race. They assume the institution is making an attempt to screw him. Who cares about penises on Tumblr? Nobody cares.”
The difficulty in Virginia started late final month when Mr. Reid’s lone opponent within the Republican major contest for lieutenant governor dropped out after present process coronary heart surgical procedure.
The Republican State Management Committee, the arm of the get together that helps fund candidates for lieutenant governor, then produced a primary analysis doc on Mr. Reid. It included the Tumblr weblog, which had the identical username he used on different social media websites and has since been deleted. The Washington Submit described its contents as “starting from specific pictures of male genitalia to pictures typical of a racy underwear advert.”
Mr. Reid, whose father served within the Virginia legislature and as soon as fired a gun by mistake inside his Capitol workplace, denied being the writer of the Tumblr.
In a rare transfer, he posted his five-minute rationalization of the state of affairs and vowed to stay within the race — whereas standing in entrance of portraits of Mr. Youngkin and Ms. Earle-Sears. He mentioned he had attended drag exhibits in Richmond however referred to as the Tumblr a “faux account” and mentioned the concept that it belonged to him was “a complete, fabricated web lie.”
“Have I seen porn? Sure,” he mentioned. “Have I had one-night stands? Are my exes nonetheless in love with me? No. What extra can I probably inform you? Why am I the candidate who has to reply these questions? It’s as a result of I’m brazenly homosexual, and I’ve by no means bowed right down to the institution and I can’t.”
There isn’t a mechanism in Virginia election legislation that may enable Republicans to power Mr. Reid from the race. Mr. Reid, who declined to be interviewed for this text, has remained defiant because the controversy has scrambled typical Republican alliances.
Ms. Earle-Sears has saved her distance from Mr. Reid. A Christian conservative, she wrote a observe by hand final yr to declare herself “morally opposed” to laws signed by Mr. Youngkin that prohibited Virginia officers from denying a wedding license due to intercourse, gender or race.
But others on the get together’s proper wing have embraced Mr. Reid. The Loudoun County Republican Committee is now promoting “I Assist John Reid” T-shirts for $25 — obtainable in eight colours.
Whereas Mr. Fredericks mentioned the Republican base thought Mr. Reid was being handled unfairly, he predicted that the Republican ticket would lose if he didn’t drop out.
“We tend to litigate our primaries in Virginia all the best way to the final election,” mentioned John Whitbeck, a former chairman of the Virginia Republican Get together. “That is one more instance of how we shoot ourselves within the foot within the get together.”
There isn’t a scarcity of Republicans taking intention at each other’s toes.
Mr. Reid’s lawyer despatched a cease-and-desist letter to Mr. Youngkin’s longtime political adviser, who had sought to engineer Mr. Reid’s departure from the race. The adviser subsequently stepped other than his publish. The 2 sides have traded accusatory letters, leaked recordings of conferences to the Richmond information media and floated threats of recent damaging info on Mr. Reid.
Mr. Youngkin has tried to declare one thing of a truce, and Mr. Reid has taken victory laps whereas serving as a visitor host on Mr. Fredericks’s radio present.
“This case has clearly spiraled past what anybody meant,” mentioned Tim Anderson, a former Virginia state legislator who’s aiding Mr. Reid’s marketing campaign. “This could have by no means grow to be a public spectacle, and he ought to have been given the chance to privately meet with stakeholders to seek out decision or to indicate his defenses earlier than he was requested to resign.”
Mr. Youngkin, for his half, advised reporters in Richmond final week that staying within the race was “John Reid’s choice” after being requested if he would marketing campaign with Mr. Reid.
“He has clearly made up his thoughts that he’s going to remain in,” Mr. Youngkin mentioned. “And so he’s the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. And I feel the controversy can cease there, as a result of that’s the reply.”
Mr. Youngkin declined an interview request and is now backing Mr. Reid’s marketing campaign.
“The governor is supporting the G.O.P. ticket,” mentioned Becca Glover, Mr. Youngkin’s spokeswoman. “We’re transferring ahead.”
