Glenn Youngkin is exactly the type of Republican candidate that Democrats fear because he is effective, real, direct and has tangible solutions that will empower and uplift all Virginians. Black voters are taking notice.
Youngkin represents the next generation of Republican candidates who have embraced an agenda that speaks directly to the people. The agenda is rooted in commonsense conservative free market principles that work.
As a former business executive and Division I basketball player, he understands building coalitions and working together to achieve success and win. When Virginia voters like myself compare his record -- and more importantly, his vision for the future -- we are not impressed by the tired talking points and attacks from Terry McAuliffe.
McAuliffe is a relic of the past. He represents the classic pandering, elitist mindset of many Democrats who have lost touch with what is good for the American people.
Glenn Youngkin received the endorsement of the Hampton Roads Black Caucus. While the McAuliffe campaign tried to dismiss it, it is significant. This group has never supported a Republican for Governor. In fact, they endorsed McAuliffe when he first ran for the Governor. They know him, they know his record, they know his rhetoric and they know what he would do for Black Virginians—and they chose to endorse Republican Glenn Youngkin.
When given the option to objectively look at the two candidates -- not from a party standpoint but on a policy basis -- the choice was clear. Youngkin is right for the Black community because his plans will empower Black Virginians. Whether you are an entrepreneur, first responder, college student, or single mom, his plans are how we win.
The issue of public safety is very important. Calls by Democrats to defund the police have been rejected by the Black community because we understand that we need safe communities. We want a police presence to keep our families, communities, and businesses safe. Youngkin received the endorsement of more than 50 sheriffs. Again, law enforcement knows McAuliffe, he was governor. That makes it all the more significant that they're turning against him.
On education, you do not have to take my word for it. Just read what Virginia’s first Black governor, L. Douglas Wilder, wrote in an open letter with the headline: “Why Are VA’s HBCUs Discriminated Against? Governor Wilder took the Virginia Democrats in power to task, but he heaped praise on Youngkin for committing to prioritize Virginia’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in his budgets.
He stated: “When I watched Glenn Youngkin last evening commit to provide funding for all five of our HBCUs in any budget he submitted to the legislature if he were governor, it was historical. This is the first time any candidate for governor has made this public commitment.”
Black parents value being involved in their children’s education because, as my mother always instilled in me, having a quality education is an essential component to success in America. Education was your ticket out, your window to a future was far better than anything we could imagine.
Failing public schools and not having parental choice to be able to give the gift of a quality education for kids is something that parents are growing more and more frustrated with. Time and time again, Democrats line up against school choice, and in the case of Terry McAuliffe, oppose parents' involvement in their children’s education.
With all the radical values in schools today – which are totally unrelated to making sure children are proficient in reading, writing and math and have a good understanding of civics – parents want to be engaged. Parents want to be present, and we should welcome that. Youngkin does, McAuliffe doesn’t.
I think about single parents struggling to make ends meet. My mother was a single mom, and she always made whatever sacrifice she had to provide for me. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for parents when they see costs spike for everything that they need for their families to survive. Parents feel this every day at the gas station and at the grocery store. When voters hear Youngkin promise to get rid of the Virginia tax on food at the grocery store they know that is something that will make a real difference. Inflation is real, and Democrats do not have a national or local plan to fix it. This is one reason why both President Biden and Terry McAuliffe are going down in polls.
Lastly, on the issue of life, Glenn Youngkin has been outspoken in supporting a culture of life in Virginia. McAuliffe stands with the extreme left supporting late term abortions and there is no justification for that.
For me the choice was easy in voting early for Glenn Younkin and a diverse and historic Republican ticket that includes Winsome Sears and Jason Miyares.
Youngkin is right on all the issues that matter to me as a Virginia resident—reducing taxes, creating local jobs, valuing life and faith, supporting HBCUs, empowering parents, school choice, public safety and creating a vibrant and inclusive economy that works for everyone.
Glenn Youngkin is worthy of the vote on November 2nd because he is a commonsense leader, not a career politician. Glenn Youngkin understands what it means to create windows of opportunity for everyone.
Paris Dennard, a Virginia resident, is the National Spokesperson and Director of Black Media Affairs for the Republican National Committee (RNC). Follow him on Twitter: @PARISDENNARD.