Youngkin announced his transition steering committee
A state senator and a Democratic governor will help guide Youngkin.
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Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin announces his transition steering committee
Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin announced the individuals who will be in charge of transitioning him from candidate to governor Wednesday evening.
The transition process will be led by Jeff Goettman and co-chaired by Kay Coles James and state Sen. Steve Newman.
Goettman most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer on Youngkin’s campaign. Prior to his role on the campaign, Goettman served as a Counselor for Domestic Finance at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
James is the president and founder of the Gloucester Institute, a leadership training center for young African Americans, and served as president of the Heritage Foundation between 2018 and 2021, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management under President George W. Bush, and as Virginia’s Secretary of Health and Human Resources under Governor George Allen.
Newman is currently the senator for the 23 district, but he began his career over in the House of Delegates in the early 90s.
Youngkin will also be advised by former Republican Governors Bob McDonnell, George Allen, and Jim Gilmore. Additionally, former Democratic Governor Doug Wilder will be advising the Republican governor-elect.
Wilder did not endorse in the 2021 race and spoke out strongly against the Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe at times during the campaign.
Youngkin will also be advised by a list of 12 other people from elected officials to campaign activists. Some names from that list include Del. Kathy Byron (R-Bedford) and Aubrey Lane, a former cabinet secretary for the last two Democratic governors.
“In order to change the trajectory of our great Commonwealth, we can’t operate on government time,” Youngkin said, in his first official staffing announcement eight days after winning the race. “We’re going to do things differently. That's why this incredible transition team represents various backgrounds—business owners, law enforcement officers, veterans, healthcare providers, and most importantly, parents—who will bring an array of experience and fresh perspectives that will pave the way for a transformation where Virginia soars and never settles.”
Jen Kiggans was endorsed by a powerful national Republican’s PAC; Keeney was put on their “women to watch” list
U.S. House Republican Caucus Chair Elise Stefanik’s E-PAC endorsed Virginia state Senator Jen Kiggans as she seeks the nomination to run against Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Virginia Beach) in the second congressional district. The PAC also put Taylor Keeney, a Republican seeking the nomination to run against Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Henrico) in the seventh congressional district, on a list of ‘Women to Watch.’
Stefanik is the third-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives and represents New York’s 21 congressional district.
“As small business owners, mothers, veterans, and health care leaders, these women make up the most impressive and diverse group of rising stars we’ve ever seen,” Stefanik said in a statement. “E-PAC’s endorsed candidates are determined to build on the historic success of last cycle, when we more than doubled the Republican women elected to Congress. In 2020, GOP women were history makers, and in 2022, GOP women will be majority makers.”
Kiggans is a state Senator and nurse practitioner in the Virginia Beach area and was a helicopter pilot in the Navy before that. She is running against a slate of Republicans looking to unseat Luria, the two-term representative who is also a military veteran. Luria flipped this seat in 2018 and was reelected again in 2020 when the Republican she defeated two years earlier ran against her again.
“I’m honored to have been named a ‘rising star’ as I continue fighting to give coastal Virginians the conservative representation and results they deserve,” Kiggans said Wednesday.
In the seventh congressional district, Taylor Keeney, the former staffer for Gov. Bob McDonnell who currently runs a non-profit called ‘Little Hands Virginia,’ also received recognition from E-PAC on their “Women to Watch” list.
She is trying to run against Rep. Spanberger, who is also a two-term congresswoman after flipping a Republican seat in 2018. Spanberger is facing tough prospects in her district with legislative redistricting and the national environment looking unfavorable for her.
Similar to 2020, Republicans are expected to put a lot of focus on flipping this seat.
Keeney expressed thanks to Stefanik’s PAC for the mention Wednesday. She also referenced Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin as an example of the type of Republican nominee needed to win in Virginia. “Winning back the 7th Congressional District is going to take a conservative outsider and fresh voice. Governor-elect Youngkin showed us the way to unite the GOP,” Keeney said. “We can’t keep putting up the same old candidates and expect a different result; it’s time for new conservative leadership in Virginia.”
So far, State Sen. Amanda Chase, state Sen. Bryce Reeves, state Del. John McGuire, and 2020 candidate Tina Ramirez have filed to run for Congress as a Republican in the seventh district. It is unclear, however, which district each of them will be residing within when the final lines are drawn by the state Supreme Court in the redistricting process taking place right now.
Aubrey Layne, Cabinet secretary to two Democrats, to advise Youngkin in transition - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Michael Martz
Aubrey Layne, a Cabinet secretary for two Democratic governors, has joined the transition team of Republican Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin to advise him on the state budget and vital policy issues, including transportation.
Layne, now senior vice president and chief of staff at Sentara Healthcare, confirmed on Wednesday that he met with Youngkin this week to discuss "the budget, transportation or anything he wants to know about."
State Del. Jay Jones (D-Norfolk) talked with Virginia Scope Wednesday about everything happening in Virginia politics.
Jones talks about the moment earlier this year when Attorney General Mark Herring called him to tell him he was seeking a third term while he was in the middle of his primary campaign to be the Democratic nominee for that same office.
Jones also discussed the Democratic losses in Virginia last week, what he wants to see the party do moving forward, and the possibility that he seeks statewide office again in 2025.