'Sickening Betrayal': Youngkin's Position on Vaccine Mandates in Virginia Enrages Conservatives

Leah Barkoukis | November 18, 2021 8:15 AM

Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin is setting himself apart from other Republican governors who have taken a hardline stance against vaccine mandates in their states. Instead, Youngkin, who is against vaccine mandates at the state level, said he will not block local governments from pushing their own Covid-19 health precautions, including vaccine mandates.

“Localities are going to have to make decisions the way the law works and that is going to be up to individual decisions but, again, from the governor’s office, you won’t see mandates from me,” Youngkin said in a recent interview, according to local media.

While it’s a reversal of outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam's position, who implemented a vaccine-or-test mandate for state employees, it does not go as far as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, both of whom have issued executive orders barring local governments from being able to issue vaccine requirements.

Youngkin has been supportive of Covid-19 vaccines, noting during a September debate that he is vaccinated and his family is as well.

“It’s the best way for people to keep themselves safe,” he argued. “And I, in fact, have asked everyone in Virginia to please get the vaccine. But I don't think we should mandate it.”