Donald Trump Says His Supporters Will Decide If Glenn Youngkin Wins in Virginia

[ad_1]

Former President Donald Trump said his base was key for GOP candidate Glenn Youngkin to win Virginia’s gubernatorial election on Tuesday.

On a ballot considered a litmus test for the 2022 midterms, Trump told Fox News that his supporters would have to come out if Youngkin hopes to take over the governor’s mansion.

“If my base comes out, he’ll win,” Trump said, “Hopefully they come out, I really want them to come out.”

Youngkin said he was “honored” to have Trump’s endorsement but he did not campaign personally with the former president. On Saturday, he told reporters he “would not be in touch” at Trump’s tele-rally on Monday the day before the election.

GOP candidate for Virginia Glenn Youngkin was pictured on the campaign trail on Oct. 30, 2021 in Manassas. Former President Donald Trump (R) said his endorsement would help Youngkin get elected. Getty

In contrast, his Democratic rival, Terry McAuliffe captured the star power of President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama on the campaign trail.

Biden accused Youngkin of being “embarrassed” to campaign with Trump even though he embraced some of his policies. There is speculation that by stepping away from the former president, Youngkin is trying to attract independent and moderate voters.

But Trump said his supporters were crucial to Youngkin’s success. When asked about Youngkin’s election prospects, Trump said, “I think he should win. I’ll be honest, my base has to come out.”

When asked by host Jeanine Pirro about the impact on Youngkin of being labeled by Democrats as a “Trump acolyte” the former president said, “I think it fell apart because I think it gets the basis to come out and vote. “

As if warning of the dangers of rejecting his brand of politics, Trump went on, “the last person to run as a Republican didn’t embrace Trump in Virginia,” referring to Ed Gillespie, who was defeated by Democrat Ralph Northam in 2017.

“He was killed, he was completely destroyed,” Trump said, “I think if my base doesn’t come out, he can’t win. I think my base has to come out very strong.”

When asked if he sees himself as a “kingpin” for future elections, Trump replied, “If I endorse someone, they will win.”

“I think I was 148 and two,” he said, referring to the ratio of the successfully elected candidates he supported versus the losers.

“I did endorse Youngkin. And we’re going to see, I hope it’s not going to be three,” Trump added.

While Trump’s influence is undoubtedly considerable in the Republican Party and his endorsement goes to the ballot box, the candidates he supports have not fully achieved the success he claims.

During the 2020 cycle, five of the 23 Senate candidates and 33 of the 149 House candidates backed by Trump, did not win, according to Ballotpedia.

Meanwhile, Trump -backed Kentucky and Louisiana gubernatorial candidates were defeated in 2019. Meanwhile, North Carolina Republican Dan Forest, who also relied on the former president’s support, was defeated in 2020.

Newsweek contacted Youngkin’s campaign for comment.

[ad_2]