VA-GOV 2025: Spanberger running

[LabourJersey]

I wonder if she’s already eyeing a 2028 Presidential run if she wins the governorship. That would be awesome.

I disagree about running for President.

The timing of Virginia gubernatorial elections are *very* unfavorable for running a presidential campaign.

You either have to lay the groundwork for a run immediately, try to run late only to be beset by your midterms, or run long after your term ends when you're less relevant.

Virginia Governors are basically operating on a different timeline from the rest of politics.

VP is a different story, though.

[LabourJersey]

I wonder if she’s already eyeing a 2028 Presidential run if she wins the governorship. That would be awesome.

I disagree about running for President.

The timing of Virginia gubernatorial elections are *very* unfavorable for running a presidential campaign.

You either have to lay the groundwork for a run immediately, try to run late only to be beset by your midterms, or run long after your term ends when you're less relevant.

Virginia Governors are basically operating on a different timeline from the rest of politics.

VP is a different story, though.

In the event her presidential/vice-presidential aspirations falls through for the 2028 election cycle, she always has the option of running for Sen. Tim Kaine's seat in 2030 provided (1) he retires that year and (2) he is re-elected next year for his fourth term.  Gov. Glenn Youngkin would provide a very stiff challenge if he runs against Sen. Kaine next year.  

Winning a Gubernatorial election in an off year is very different then winning a senate election in a presidential year

I am not seeing Youngkin beating Sen. Tim Kaine, of course, but he is still a popular governor, and the best Republicans can put forward if his 2024 presidential ambitions are blocked -and if he is not keen to be Trump's sidekick in the Naval Observatory. And then there is the 2026 midterm race against Sen. Mark Warner that he could look forward to if he decides to stick with his present job until the end of his term.  Which would work out splendidly for him if President Biden wins a second term.   

Youngkin's popularity is very soft and entirely because of his limited ability to pass sweeping conservative legislation.

If Republicans had both chambers in 2022/23 they would have passed a ton of very right-wing legislation and Youngkin would be underwater in approval ratings.

If he were to run for the Senate his actual votes (and not his accomplishments/lack thereof) would be the focus, and that wouldn't be popular. Kaine is also a popular incumbent Senator which is tough to beat.

[LabourJersey]

I’m surprised Rouse isn’t running for VA-02

Being in the House sounds miserable these days. Being a Lieutenant Governor seems like a good gig - light on responsibilities, sometimes in the limelight, and you're set up in a great position for Governor in 4 years.