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To the editor:

On Election Day, Virginia voters told America “we are not California,” as Republicans swept the top three statewide offices including the governorship, and made gains in the House of Delegates. But it wasn’t long ago that Virginia voters put the brakes on the Trump train, not to mention every GOP presidential race in the state since 2008.

This commonwealth, adjusting to a change in demographics and sprawling population surge in the north, has increasingly moved to the left over the past decade-plus. But the far-left lunacy of “Defund Police” and Critical Race Theory would prove too much this Election Day in the Old Dominion.

What did win is the positive campaign ran by businessman now Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin. His focus on parent-influenced education, jobs and cutting taxes during a period of high inflation led to a phenomenal victory.

Mr. Youngkin’s winning campaign promises, if kept, will lead to Republican gains in years to come in Virginia and beyond. Virginia Republicans can redeem themselves with the electorate after a decade out of power if they focus on commonsense issues, like eliminating regressive taxes on fuel and groceries. But if Republicans revert to radical ideas like requiring a transvaginal ultrasound to get an abortion or eliminating Medicaid for poorer Virginians, rest assured voters will not forget.

 

Nicholas Parisi

Franklin