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2d ago

Virginia GOP Candidate Defies Governor’s Call to Exit Race Over Explicit Photos Allegations

John Reid, the first openly gay statewide nominee in Virginia, denies connection to a Tumblr account and vows to continue his campaign despite party divisions.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks as Attorney General Pam Bondi, right, listens during a news conference about an MS-13 gang leader who was arrested in an operation by the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force, during a news conference at the Manassas FBI Field Office, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Manassas, Va. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
(L): Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (R): A screengrab of John Reid from his April 25, 2025 video denying allegations of a sexually explicit social media account.
FILE - Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears gestures as she presides over the Senate during the session at the state Capitol on Feb. 8, 2022, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
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Overview

  • John Reid, the Republican nominee for Virginia lieutenant governor, has refused Governor Glenn Youngkin's request to step down after explicit photos were reposted on a Tumblr account linked to his Instagram handle.
  • Reid denies any association with the account, calling the allegations a fabricated smear campaign targeting him for being openly gay.
  • The Tumblr account, which reposted explicit images of men, was deleted Friday afternoon after being first reported by The Richmonder.
  • Reid became the sole Republican nominee following the withdrawal of Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity earlier this month due to health issues.
  • The controversy has underscored tensions within the GOP over candidate vetting, LGBTQ representation, and digital misinformation as early voting begins on May 2.