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Americans for Prosperity (AFP) announced their endorsement of the Republican gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin on Thursday with just a few weeks left until election day. This is a different approach for the Koch-backed network that spent millions in 2017 opposing the Democratic nominee Ralph Northam.
“As a businessman and entrepreneur, Youngkin understands the pressure Virginian families feel as budgets tighten, costs increase, and success gets harder to find,” said AFP-VA State Director JC Hernandez. “It doesn’t have to be this way. Glenn Youngkin knows the policies it takes to make life more affordable and expand opportunity to all Virginians. We’re ready to work day and night through the Election to help him make that vision a reality.”
The endorsement comes with a six-figure digital campaign. Additionally, AFP activists are planning a kick-off rally at their Richmond headquarters on Monday, October 11. Supporters can gather to hear from AFP President Tim Phillips before engaging directly with voters, according to AFP’s announcement.
“We can’t wait to tap into the energy and excitement of thousands of AFP’s grassroots activists to connect voters to Glenn Youngkin’s positive vision,” Hernandez said.
While they also strongly opposed McAuliffe during his 2013 run and are endorsing Youngkin this year, AFP has not financed any attacks on McAuliffe this cycle. They spent millions in 2017 attacking Northam. It is also interesting how late in the cycle AFP, a Republican group on most issues, is endorsing Youngkin. The endorsement is also happening after recent polls show a tightening in the race to the point of it being a toss-up.
Election day is Nov. 2.
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