Overview

• John Reid, the Republican nominee for Virginia lieutenant governor, refuses to drop out after Governor Glenn Youngkin privately urged him to quit over allegations tied to a fake social media account.
• Reid claims the account, which posted explicit images, is part of an extortion attempt to force him off the ticket as the first openly gay GOP statewide nominee.
• The candidate alleges that Youngkin's political operation threatened continued smear tactics unless he exited the race, calling the effort illegal extortion.
• Arlington GOP Chair Matthew Hurtt criticized Youngkin’s team for leaking details of the governor's call, accusing them of undermining the Republican ticket.
• Reid has vowed to remain in the race, pursue legal action against those behind the smear campaign, and continue his campaign for lieutenant governor.