Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) has ruled out a run to be the next U.S. senator from Virginia, but left the possibility open for a future presidential run in an interview Tuesday.
As the popular outgoing Republican governor makes room for Democratic Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration to take over Richmond, he shared what the next couple of months will look like as he weighs his career plans. He made the comments in an interview with local Virginia outlet ABC13.
“A lot of people have been asking me, ‘Am I going to run for Senate?’” Youngkin said. “And the answer is no, I’m not going to run for Senate, but I do look forward to taking my wife on a good, long vacation.”
Youngkin said he had no hints for the public about his plans for 2028. “I’m very supportive of the Trump administration right now, and I’m going to do everything I can to help them be successful,” he said.
The former Carlyle Group CEO has about two months left as governor before Spanberger is inaugurated on Jan. 17, and he said he will focus on finishing his term strong before discussing his future political career decisions further into 2026.
“I’m not going to finish before we’re finished,” Youngkin said. “I’m going to run through the tape, and then I’m going to take my wife on vacation. After that, we’ll make those decisions in February and March.”
Since his successful 2021 campaign for governor in the blue state, Youngkin has been hailed as a rising star in the GOP and floated as a possible contender to succeed President Donald Trump after he reaches his term limit.
YOUNGKIN MAKES FINAL PUSH TO DEFINE HIS LEGACY AS VIRGINIA CHOOSES NEXT GOVERNOR
In October, Trump boosted the prospect of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio joining forces for a presidential run in 2028. Vance later said the president had initially floated the idea to him six months earlier.
Reports have also circulated that Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is eyeing the White House for 2028, though he has downplayed the notion.