Chairman of Va. GOP says Youngkin did not consult him before calling for Lt. Gov. nominee to drop out
The chairman of the Virginia Republican Party says Gov Glenn Youngkin did not consult him before asking the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor to withdraw from the race last month over alleged social media postings Youngkin called on John Reid the nominee for Virginia s lieutenant governor to leave the race last month in response to alleged findings surfaced by GOP researchers Virginia Sen Mark Peake the chairman of the state s Republican Party recounted WTOP that Youngkin made that call without his input I had no discussion whatsoever with the governor or his staff about that decision or to make that decision revealed Peake who represents Bedford County Campbell County and Lynchburg City in Virginia s nd Senate District Peake mentioned he was advised a plan had been made about how to respond to reports that a social media account with the same handle Reid uses had allegedly shared pornographic content online And to my knowledge no other Republican leaders were consulted about that decision and how they were going to proceed on that decision Peake stated Reid has denied that the account posting the pornographic content belongs to him and reiterated that he will not exit the race The conservative radio host is the state s first openly gay candidate to run for statewide office Reid has announced his sexual orientation is the reason he s being targeted Peake stated he hasn t seen the images posted to the account and isn t really sure what they were I wish everybody would contact me before they do anything but lawyers politicians everyone should contact me before they make any major decisions But that is not the way of the world and that s just how it is Peake disclosed regarding Youngkin s decision not to consult him before calling on Reid to withdraw However Peake also explained the situation was atypical and he doesn t know what the normal procedure should be I think a private conversation about that issue was totally appropriate Peake disclosed I think the unfortunate thing here is that these images were given to the press at about the same time as the request was made to John to step down or to at least discuss those images The debate seemed to have caused a schism in the party with Lt Gov Winsome Earle-Sears releasing a message last month that split from Youngkin where she declared the decision to move forward with the race is Reid s decision alone to make Virginia vote stories This is getting resolved Amid Virginia GOP tension former Gov Allen advises moving forward Winsome Earle-Sears splits from Gov Youngkin as GOP Lt Gov nominee hurls extortion claims Top strategist for Va Gov Glenn Youngkin moves aside amid GOP turmoil Virginia voter guide What to know about casting a ballot in June primary electoral process Much better that we get these issues out in the open and discussed in April rather than October Peake noted So I think the issues are known and our candidates are moving forward He wouldn t comment about where Youngkin and Reid s relationship at this time stands I do know that the governor has publicly stated that John Reid is our lieutenant governor candidate and that he supports all Republican nominees and our ticket Peake revealed I don t know what conversations they are having But the chairman reported it would benefit the GOP ticket if Youngkin and Reid could reconcile in inhabitants As Republican Party of Virginia chairman it s my job to do everything that I can to give our ticket the best chance of success and I will do that Peake declared WTOP s Nick Iannelli contributed to this overview Source
