President Joe Biden has not spoken to Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin since Virginians elected the Republican political newcomer, the White House said.
“They have not spoken, but the president congratulates Governor-elect Youngkin on his win,” deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday. Republicans swept the statewide offices in Virginia on Tuesday.
Biden twice campaigned for Democrat Terry McAuliffe in Virginia, where the president secured a 10 percentage-point victory over former President Donald Trump during the presidential election last year. A former Virginia governor who was seeking a nonconsecutive second term, McAuliffe’s lead in the race collapsed after he stated that he didn’t think parents “should be telling schools what they should teach.”
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The comments prompted a wave of support for McAuliffe’s Republican opponent.
“Obviously, the president campaigned for his friend, Terry McAuliffe … and would have preferred a different outcome. But the will of the people is clear, and the president has always believed in working across party lines for the good of American families,” Jean-Pierre said. “He looks forward to doing that with Governor-elect Youngkin.”
Democrats dispatched a slew of big names to stump for McAuliffe in the race, including former President Barack Obama, first lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Biden was “very proud” of McAuliffe’s effort, Jean-Pierre said, but added, “Now is the time to move forward.”
Strong enthusiasm for Youngkin from independent and Republican voters helped deliver him a sweeping victory in the state.
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Downplaying the loss, Jean-Pierre said that “no election determines the outcome of future elections.”
She added, “This one election is determined by voters in 2021, and the midterms are still a year away.”
