Virginia’s Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, John Reid, has publicly accused Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s political advisers of extortion, claiming they pressured him to drop out of the race. Reid, the first openly gay candidate on either major party’s statewide ticket, posted two videos outlining what he describes as efforts by Youngkin’s team to coerce him into resigning.
Reid’s nomination came unexpectedly when his predecessor, Pat Herrity, withdrew for health reasons. Allegations against Reid stemmed from “a local religious activist” who allegedly threatened him with fake compromising photos purportedly from a fraudulent Tumblr account. After rejecting a request from Youngkin to step down, Reid reported that his aides received further threats, including an offer to suppress the damaging information if he withdrew. He declared this action as extortion, illegal in Virginia, and asserted his commitment to remain in the race.
In response, Youngkin acknowledged his outreach to Reid but emphasized that concerns about the alleged explicit content were distracting from more crucial campaign issues. Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor and GOP gubernatorial nominee, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the focus should remain on uniting Virginians.
Despite the turbulence, multiple GOP members, including Arlington County Republican Committee chair Matthew Hurtt, expressed support for Reid, with a majority indicating they do not want him to withdraw. Political analyst Bob Holsworth noted that this situation complicates an already challenging election for Republicans, with potential ramifications for the party’s image. A planned unity rally involving Reid and other candidates was canceled amid the controversy, highlighting ongoing divisions within the Virginia Republican Party.
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