Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia says with Trump's election, 'we have a friend in the White House'

MARCO ISLAND, FL – EXCLUSIVE – After some high-profile battles with President Biden's administration over the past three years, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said President-elect Trump's decisive election victory earlier this month means he now has “a friend to the White House.”

Youngkin, the popular Virginia governor entering his final year in office, argued in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital that “as a governor who has been pro-business, pro-strong education, pro-safe communities and lower tax rates, we now have someone in the White House who believes in all of this. »

“I can't wait until we have the wind at our backs instead of in our faces,” Youngkin said as he spoke Tuesday on the sidelines of the Republican Governors Association's annual winter meeting, which is being held this year in a seaside resort in southwest Florida. .

And reflecting on his final year at Virginia's helm, Youngkin said, “I can't wait to see what we do with the wind at the back of the Trump administration.” »

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Former President Donald Trump, Republican presidential candidate, shakes hands with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin during a rally at Greenbrier Farms June 28, 2024 in Chesapeake, Virginia. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

There was much speculation that Youngkin could take a leadership role in the second Trump administration, but the governor, in a recent call with the president-elect, made it clear that he intends to finish his term .

But he doesn't appear to rule out serving in the Trump administration after he finishes his studies at Richmond in a year.

“I told the president when I called him and I told him that I wanted to finish my term, that I would be available to help him at any time while I am governor and after,” Youngkin said.

TRUMP MUCH AHEAD OF HIS FIRST TERM TO NAME HIS CABINET

Youngkin energized Republicans nationwide three years ago, as the first candidate from the party's economic wing edged out former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to become the first GOP nominee in a dozen years to win a gubernatorial election in this unique election. State that trended Democratic over the previous decade.

The governor instantly became a Republican rock star and speculation has been rife about a possible run for the White House in 2024.

But Youngkin and his party suffered a setback a year ago in a legislative election that drew outsized national attention, as Democrats retained control of the Virginia state Senate and flipped the House of Delegates .

Even though Youngkin wasn't on the ballot, he was counting on the results, having invested a lot of political capital on behalf of Republican legislative candidates. The results also meant that Youngkin would not have a free hand during his final two years in office to push a conservative agenda.

Youngkin returned to the campaign trail this year in Virginia and a few key battleground states, to help campaign on behalf of Republicans up and down the ballot.

And he spoke at a large Trump rally in conservative southwest Virginia the weekend before Election Day.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks to former Republican President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Salem, Virginia, Saturday, November 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

While Vice President Kamala Harris carried the Commonwealth in the race for the White House, her margin over Trump was 4.5 points narrower than President Biden's victory in the state four years earlier, Trump and Republicans having exceeded expectations.

The results appear to have given Youngkin more leverage heading into his final legislative session. Democrats who over the past year were united against the governor's proposed tax cuts may now be receptive to negotiation.

Asked if Democrats were now ready to play the game, Youngkin said, “I hope they are.” I think recognizing that Virginians want to keep more of their hard-earned money has really engaged everyone in a dialogue about how to deliver on taxes. relief.”

He argued that the election results “demonstrated record job growth that created surplus after surplus, driven by pro-business standards.”

And he emphasized that “we're going to come back with a big fiscal package, and we're going to make sure that we're strong on education and strong on public safety.”

“I am optimistic,” he added, while acknowledging that “this will be a normal legislative process. We have a legislative process – we are a one-seat minority in the House and the Senate – so we have to put in the work to get things done.”

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia mobilizes on behalf of GOP legislative candidates ahead of the state's closely watched elections, in Norfolk, Virginia, November 2, 2023. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

All political eyes will be on Virginia in 2025, with the Commonwealth and New Jersey being the only two states to hold gubernatorial elections the year after the presidential election.

But the law prevents Virginia governors from running for a second consecutive term.

This doesn't mean Youngkin will disappear from the campaign trail in 2025. He says it's quite the opposite.

VIRGINIA'S YOUNGKIN APPROVES HER LT. GOVERNOR TO SUCCEED HIM

“You’re going to see a lot of me,” he boasted. “We have a very aggressive agenda for governor over the last 14 months. But part of that agenda is to make sure we have [Lt. Gov.] Winsome Sears as our next governor. [Virginia Attorney General] Jason Miyares is back as the attorney general and super lieutenant governor we'll choose in our primaries. »

Youngkin predicted that “Virginians will make it clear that they want to continue doing more of what we do, resulting in record job growth, opportunity, and strong outcomes in safe schools and communities “.

Virginia's 2025 gubernatorial showdown is shaping up to be a contest between Sears and Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer. The winner will make history by becoming the state's first female governor. And Sears, if she wins, will also make history as the nation's first black woman elected governor.

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears speaks to the crowd during a rally to announce she will seek her party's nomination for Virginia governor in 2025 at Chick's Oyster Bar in Virginia Beach, Wash. Virginia, Thursday September 5, 2024. (Kristen Zeis/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Youngkin responded when asked if Sears, who served in the Marine Corps and made history as the first Virginia woman to hold statewide office, was too conservative for voters.

“Not at all,” the governor quickly replied. “And Winsome is a common-sense conservative leader. We've been partners literally since day one. We campaigned together. We were elected together. We governed together. And I can't wait to see Virginians accept her as next governor of Virginia.”

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As for his own political future, Youngkin was less revealing about his future candidacies for elected office.

Asked about a possible but unlikely 2026 Senate run against longtime Democratic incumbent Sen. Mark Waner, or a future White House campaign, Youngkin quickly turned to his day job as governor.

“I have a huge year and a few months ahead of me and that's where my focus is, and I need to finish strong, so Virginia can really continue to soar. And that's what I'm going to dedicate my time.”

After that he said “we'll see what happens next.”

Faced with a follow-up question, Youngkin stayed on script, saying “we'll see what happens later, but right now my goal is to finish strong.”