Democratic Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe conceded the election to opponent Glenn Youngkin early Wednesday after the Republican conclusively pulled ahead in an upset victory.
Youngkin held a consistent but thin lead over McAuliffe in the run-up to the election, swinging northern counties that previously carried President Joe Biden to victory in 2020.
“While last night we came up short, I am proud that we spent this campaign fighting for the values we so deeply believe in,” McAuliffe began his statement.
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McAuliffe congratulated Youngkin and his family on their successful campaign but continued with talking points that proved controversial in the race, particularly in regards to education and the Virginia public school system.
“We must protect Virginia’s great public schools and invest in our students,” McAuliffe wrote in his concession.
Most polls showed education as the defining issue of the race, with McAuliffe lamenting the amount of white teachers in the state school system and dismissing Youngkin’s assertions of critical race theory infiltrating curricula.
“I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach,” McAuliffe said on a September debate stage.
“You don’t want parents coming in, in every different school district, saying this is what should be taught here and this is what should be taught there,” he added in an interview afterward.
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Youngkin claimed victory late last night, emphasizing the humble beginnings of his campaign and his stated commitment to parents.
“We’re going to embrace our parents, not ignore them,” Youngkin said in his victory speech Wednesday morning. “A campaign that came from nowhere … turned into a movement. Together, we will change the trajectory of this commonwealth.”
