Glenn Youngkin ‘personally invites’ new Trump admin to settle in Virginia over Maryland and DC

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is making a bold move to attract new workers and officials from the second Trump administration to settle in his state. In a video ad set to be released on Tuesday, Youngkin highlights the benefits of living in Virginia compared to neighboring Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Youngkin, who ran on a platform focusing on education policy during his 2021 campaign, emphasized that Virginia has superior schools compared to its neighbors. He pointed to a CNBC study that ranked Virginia first in the nation for education and first overall for business, surpassing North Carolina in 2023.

In the ad, Youngkin personally invites members of President Trump’s administration to make Virginia their home, citing the state’s high quality of life, safe communities, award-winning schools, and lower taxes compared to D.C. and Maryland. The ad showcases various scenes from Virginia, from the capital city of Richmond to the historic Old Town Alexandria.

Education has been a key priority for Youngkin, who believes it is the “bedrock of attaining the American dream.” The CNBC study credited Youngkin and the Democratic state legislative majority for reaching a compromise on $2.5 billion in new K-12 funding and 3% raises for teachers.

A spokesperson for the Trump transition team commended Youngkin for his leadership, stating that his track record speaks for itself as a testament to Virginia’s appeal. Youngkin’s successful campaign in 2021 marked a significant political upset, as Republicans had been out of power in Richmond for about a decade.

With Virginia’s unique policy of not allowing governors to run for consecutive terms, Youngkin’s deputy, Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, has already launched a gubernatorial campaign for 2025. On the Democratic side, Rep. Abigail Spanberger has announced her bid for the governorship, with Rep-elect Yevgeny “Eugene” Vindman set to replace her in Congress.

Overall, Governor Youngkin’s efforts to attract new residents to Virginia demonstrate his commitment to promoting the state’s strengths and positioning it as an ideal destination for those looking to live, work, and raise a family.