Both sides have been affected by the trend. Democratic Governor In 2017, Ralph Northam was elected as the first year of Donald Trump's presidency. In each case, the party that won Virginia was able to make huge gains in the midterm elections one year later. It's not a set rule. McAuliffe won his governorship in 2013, just one year into Obama’s second term.Youngkins's financial resources could make the race a fierce dogfight. According to the Virginia Public Access Project which tracks spending on elections, the wealthy investment executive has already loaned $12 million to his campaign. This figure is nearly half the $19 million Youngkin raised.Ronna McDaniel (RNC chairwoman) said that the RNC has partnered up with the Republican Party of Virginia in a multi-million dollar investment to hire more than 100 staffers, to open more than a dozen state victorie offices, promote electoral integrity, and use our data-driven ground strategy to elect Glenn Youngkin. We are looking forward to winning in November.McDaniel kept in touch with Youngkin during the development of the plan. Other top RNC officials also spoke to Rich Anderson, chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, as well as with state legislative leaders.Due to the rapid growth of liberal-leaning Northern Virginia suburbs, many Republicans had lost sight of Virginia as a potential target. Democrats hold all three Virginia's state offices as well as both chambers the state legislature. In 2020, President Joe Biden won Virginia by 10 points.Youngkin, who was a first-time candidate for the Republican nomination, prevailed over half-a dozen other candidates in May. His Democratic opponent will also benefit from a rich source of resources. McAuliffe is a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a prolific fundraiser who has raised $14 millions this year. He has not borrowed any money, unlike Youngkin.
