OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Kamala Harris’ prediction about Virginia’s highly anticipated governor’s race comes back to bite her and Democrats.
Republican Glenn Youngkin — a Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump — has been declared the winner of Virginia’s gubernatorial race over Democrat Terry McAuliffe.
After Youngkin’s massive victory, social media users poked fun at comments made by Harris while she was campaigning for McAuliffe.
“What happens in Virginia will, in large part, determine what happens in 2022, 2024, and on,” Harris said.
If Harris’ prediction comes true, it would mean Republicans will have the upper hand going into the 2022 midterm election, 2024 presidential election, and on.
“Kamala, you nailed it,” school choice advocate Hamlet Garcia tweeted, sharing the video of Harris making her comments.
#Kamala you nailed it
What happens in Virginia will, determine what happens in 2022, 2024 and on. @GUYforGOV @BobLancia @WendyRogersAZ @GOP @PAGOP @AZGOP @FloridaGOP @VA_GOP @CarinesMoncada @irinavilarino @Tyler2ONeil pic.twitter.com/ZajITNWQjN— Hamlet Garcia (@Hamletgarcia17) November 3, 2021
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel also took a jab at Harris, tweeting: “Virginians sent a resounding message rebuking Democrats. The red wave is here!”
Kamala Harris last week while campaigning in Virginia: “What happens in Virginia will in large part determine what happens In 2022, 2024, and on.”
Virginians sent a resounding message rebuking Democrats. The red wave is here!
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) November 3, 2021
Polling was leaning towards Youngkin all week.
Democrat candidate Terry McAuliffe, the former governor of the state, is behind significantly in a brand new Fox News poll.
No Republican has won a statewide race in Virginia since 2009 and Joe Biden won the state in the 2020 presidential election.
Despite Biden campaigning for McAuliffe, Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin burst ahead in a recent poll just days before the election.
Youngkin was polling at 53 percent among likely voters, to McAuliffe’s measly 45 percent.
Fox News reported:
Among the larger pool of registered voters, it’s a one-point race: McAuliffe 47 percent vs. Youngkin 48 percent. Two weeks ago, McAuliffe led among registered voters by 11 points, 52-41 percent.
What changed? GOP enthusiasm. The race is largely focused on education and this has energized Republicans, as 79 percent of Youngkin supporters are “extremely” interested in the election compared to 69 percent of McAuliffe supporters.
Democratic pollster Chris Anderson had been sounding the alarm prior to the election on Tuesday night.
“With the race essentially tied among the full registered voter universe, McAuliffe could still pull this off,” says Anderson, who conducts the Fox News survey along with Republican Daron Shaw. “But it would take something big to ignite enthusiasm for McAuliffe’s candidacy and a massively effective get out the vote effort.”
The Fox News report added:
Youngkin promises to ban the teaching of critical race theory on his first day in office, while McAuliffe denies CRT is even taught in Virginia schools. In addition, McAuliffe is still explaining his comment in the final debate that parents shouldn’t “be telling schools what they should teach.”
The survey, released Thursday, finds movement in the views of parents. They backed McAuliffe by 10 points two weeks ago. Now, they go for Youngkin by 14. On the question of which candidate they trust to handle education, Youngkin’s previous 1-point edge among parents has widened to 12.
Among parents, Youngkin has dads to thank. Moms back him by just two points overall, and they trust both candidates equally on education. For dads, those numbers are +23 and +21 for Youngkin respectively.
[…]
On the economy, more voters trust Youngkin by 11 points, while the candidates tied previously.
Youngkin also comes out on top on handling crime (by 12 points).
[…]
Youngkin is the pick among White evangelical Christians (+63 points), Whites without a college degree (+40), gun owner households (+32), and men (+16).
I've seen enough: Glenn Youngkin (R) defeats Terry McAuliffe (D) in the Virginia governor's race. #VAGOV
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 3, 2021
Newsmax, Decision Desk HQ project Republican Glenn Youngkin will win the Virginia gubernatorial race. https://t.co/MnIsL8Z0qK
— Newsmax (@newsmax) November 3, 2021
Republicans have a full sweep in Virginia – Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General
First time since 2009 https://t.co/hCn0yC8P6d
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) November 3, 2021
8:16 PROJECTION: GLENN YOUNGKIN HAS DEFEATED TERRY MCAULIFFE AND HAS BEEN ELECTED GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.
* GOP PICKUP *
— Ben Tribbett (@notlarrysabato) November 3, 2021
45: I would like to thank my BASE for coming out in force and voting for Glenn Youngkin. Without you, he would not have been close to winning. The MAGA movement is bigger and stronger than ever before. Glenn will be a great governor. pic.twitter.com/OfebOOIUoO
— Taylor Budowich (@TayFromCA) November 3, 2021
🚨Virginia Republicans are going sweep all three statewide races, having failed to win a single statewide race in 12 years. They are going to do so *one year* after Joe Biden carried the state by TEN POINTS.🚨
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) November 3, 2021
Youngkin flipped a blue state to a red state and did it without Trump.
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) November 3, 2021
HUGE VICTORY IN VIRGINIA!
A few months ago, no one thought it was possible, but Virginians have sent a message across America.
Congratulations to @GlennYoungkin, @WinsomeSears, and @JasonMiyaresVA!
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) November 3, 2021
The RNC was proud to work with Republicans in Virginia to get out the vote.
We made over 5 MILLION volunteer voter contacts in Virginia!
We are building a data-driven grassroots infrastructure. Democrats should be worried.
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) November 3, 2021
“Education is a top issue, which is usually good news for the Democrats since they are typically seen as more capable in that domain,” says Shaw. “But Youngkin has turned the issue on its head so it’s about curriculum and parent involvement rather than spending. The result is the GOP is currently preferred on perhaps the critical issue for this election.”
