Gov. Glenn Youngkin took to the stage on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, praising former President Donald Trump as a political outsider who could help the nation change course.
“America, the land of opportunity, just doesn’t feel like that anymore,” said Youngkin, explaining many struggle with the cost of living. “But eight years ago there was an outsider, a businessman, who stepped outside of his career to rebuild a great nation — that outsider businessman was Donald J. Trump and he will do it again.”
During his primetime speech Monday night, Youngkin highlighted his own role as a political newcomer. The Virginia governor is a former private equity executive who first ran for office in 2021. He explained his wife Suzanne was caught off guard when he decided to pursue politics.
“I told her I planned to quit my job and run for governor and she looked at me with tears in her eyes and a quivering lip and asked ‘governor of what?'” he said. “We prayed together and we asked God for guidance and wisdom and said if elected we would serve.”
Youngkin said his gubernatorial victory in Virginia three years ago showed that Trump could win the state in November.
“In November 2021, Virginians elected a Republican outside businessman,” he said. “I believe this year Virginia will elect another Republican outside businessman as president of the United States.”
Trump lost Virginia in 2016 and 2020, but recent polling has shown a much tighter race between him and President Joe Biden.
The governor said he envisioned a future with unleashed energy sources, less taxes and red tape, and where businesses could proudly say “made in America.”
Youngkin also thanked God for protecting Trump during Saturday’s assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“We ask for God’s grace to be on innocent victims and we ask him to be with their families and thank him for this moment of unity,” he said.
Other speakers Monday included U.S. Sens. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Katie Britt of Alabama and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.
Earlier in the day, Trump chose Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate for the Republican ticket.
Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com
