The Virginia governor's race could go either way on Tuesday, with Terry McAuliffe (D) and Greg Youngkin (R) in a dead heat in polling one day before the election. Youngkin has surged over the last month by tapping into a culture war message with suburban parents in the all-important Loudon County. WHile Pres. Joe Biden won the state in the 2020 presidential eleciton by 10 points, his rating has declined in Old Dominion over the last month, reflecting poorly on McAuliffe who campainged on an agenda that mirrors the president's.
Youngkin told crowds of supporters to "push back on leftist liberals" that are causing children to have low standard and has said that he will ban Critical Race Theory from beign taught in Virginia schools. For the record, CRT is not being taught in the state of Virginia. He has appealed to parents who have bought in to the notion that shools can control their children.
McAuliffe said Youngkin is using children for political purposes and that it
is a "racist dog whistle." "We are better than taht. We wil not have that hatred in Vriginia," he continued.
Both men have fueled thero race to some extend by attachign themselved to the presidents that represent their parties. Youngkin said that he would support Trump in 2024 if he runs although he distnaced himself from Trump and MAGA antics; McAuliffe campaigned with Biden.
The Virginia governor's race has become central to the mid term elections as analyst see it as a marker for potential outcomes in the 2024 general election.