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4w ago

Virginia GOP Divided as John Reid Refuses to Quit Lieutenant Governor Race

Reid, the first openly gay Republican nominee for statewide office in Virginia, denies allegations tied to explicit Tumblr posts and accuses Governor Youngkin's team of extortion.

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Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
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Overview

  • John Reid, Virginia's GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, is resisting calls to withdraw after allegations surfaced about explicit images linked to a Tumblr account with his username.
  • Reid denies ownership of the account, asserting it is a fabricated smear campaign and accusing Governor Glenn Youngkin's advisers of extortion and anti-gay targeting.
  • Governor Youngkin has defended his request for Reid to step down, citing the controversy as a distraction, but emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with Reid.
  • The allegations and Youngkin's intervention have exposed significant divisions within the Virginia Republican Party, with some GOP officials rallying behind Reid and criticizing the governor's handling of the situation.
  • As early voting begins on May 2, Reid vows to remain in the race, framing his campaign as a fight against political bullying and a test of party unity.