Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe in Virginia’s gubernatorial election. The Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, Hala Ayala, and incumbent Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring also lost to their Republican opposition in the state.
Bruna Sollod, Communications Director of United We Dream Action, said:
“Last night’s election results in Virginia gave us a clear preview of what is at stake in 2022. When Republicans spread racialized disinformation to stoke fear and anger rooted in white supremacy, Democrats failed to provide an alternative vision for Virginians. Instead of pushing a bold, progressive vision that would counteract racialized disinformation, they decided to take the moderate route, leading to defeat not just in the gubernatorial race but in critical races down the ballot.
As racism and xenophobia continue to dictate the Republican Party, the Democratic Party must be willing to speak to the issue of racism and unapologetically fight for racial justice. As we prepare for 2022, Democrats must take the right lesson from this: listen and follow the demands of the people, not political pundits, who will undoubtedly find a way to wrongfully blame voters. Democrats hold the power and must deliver the Build Back Better platform, including a pathway to citizenship. Show us the positive bold future that we can achieve together by delivering solutions that lead to equity and access for all people.”