GOP Candidate Stands His Ground Against Youngkin’s Exit Demand

Virginia Republican Lt. Governor candidate John Reid remains defiant in the face of mounting pressure from Governor Glenn Youngkin and party leadership to withdraw from the race due to allegations linking him to an explicit Tumblr account.

Quick Takes

John Reid, the first openly gay Republican to run statewide in Virginia, refuses to exit the lieutenant governor race despite Governor Youngkin’s calls for his resignation
Reid denies any connection to an explicit Tumblr account that matches his Instagram handle, calling it fabricated to attack him based on his sexuality
The controversy emerged just before early voting begins in Virginia’s primaries
Reid became the sole Republican candidate after his opponent Pat Herrity dropped out for health reasons
The situation highlights increasing scrutiny of politicians’ online activities and potential party divisions

Reid Stands Firm Against Resignation Calls

John Reid, Virginia’s Republican lieutenant governor candidate, has emphatically rejected Governor Glenn Youngkin’s calls to withdraw from the race amid controversy over an explicit Tumblr account. Reid, who would become Virginia’s first openly gay man elected to statewide office if successful, maintains the account is a fabrication designed to smear his candidacy. The controversy emerged at a critical moment as early voting in Virginia’s primaries approaches, creating significant tension within the state’s Republican party leadership and potentially complicating electoral strategies as President Trump’s administration advances its agenda at the national level.

The allegations center around a Tumblr account with a username matching Reid’s Instagram handle that reportedly contained explicit photos of naked men. According to reporting from The Richmonder, the account was deleted shortly after being discovered. Reid has vehemently denied any connection to the account, describing it as an attempt to spread lies about him specifically because of his sexual orientation. His insistence on remaining in the race demonstrates his determination to fight what he characterizes as baseless accusations aimed at derailing his historic candidacy.

Governor Youngkin’s Shifting Position

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s call for Reid’s withdrawal marks a notable shift from his earlier support for the candidate. The governor’s change in position aligns with pressure from the conservative Family Foundation Action group, which has expressed concerns about Reid’s candidacy potentially alienating religious constituencies vital to Republican electoral success in Virginia. This internal party division highlights broader tensions within the Republican Party as it navigates representing diverse candidates while maintaining support from traditional conservative bases that form President Trump’s coalition.

In a recent development, Reid publicly expressed disappointment that Youngkin demanded his resignation without sufficient evidence, suggesting the governor acted hastily in response to political pressure rather than conducting a thorough investigation of the allegations. With Reid becoming the sole Republican candidate after Pat Herrity dropped out citing health concerns, the party faces limited options for replacing him on the ballot, creating a complex political dilemma as election season progresses.

Virginia’s GOP lieutenant governor race heats up: a candidate says Gov. Youngkin pressured him to quit over a smear campaign. Here’s what happened: https://t.co/d47hUbRfiE

— WUSA9 (@wusa9) April 26, 2025

Broader Implications for Virginia Politics

This controversy emerges against a backdrop of increased scrutiny of politicians’ online activities and social media presences. A similar case recently involved Virginia Democrat Susanna Gibson, highlighting how digital footprints have become political battlegrounds in contemporary campaigns. The Reid situation specifically underscores challenges faced by candidates who represent demographic firsts within their parties, as they navigate both external opposition and internal party dynamics that may not fully embrace their candidacies.

As early voting approaches, Republicans in Virginia must contend with potential electoral repercussions regardless of the outcome. If Reid withdraws, the party faces logistical challenges in replacing him; if he remains, they risk alienating certain voter segments while potentially breaking new ground in party diversity. The situation represents a significant moment in Virginia politics that could influence Republican strategies for balancing traditional conservative values with evolving party demographics as elections approach during President Trump’s term in office.