Youngkin plans trip to Michigan, repeats criticism of Justice Department

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said Tuesday that he’ll travel to Michigan at the end of the month to campaign for that state’s Republican gubernatorial nominee, the latest in a series of nationwide political trips that are likely to continue into the fall. After remarks to the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce at the Colonial Heritage golf club, Youngkin on Tuesday also renewed criticism of the Biden Justice Department for its handling of the search of former president Donald Trump’s home in Florida last week, where federal agents seized sets of classified documents. Youngkin’s forays into the national spotlight continue to fuel speculation that the political newcomer has presidential ambitions — chatter that he calls humbling without specifically rebutting. Youngkin visited Nebraska last month to speak with state Republicans and appear at a fundraiser with GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen. On Tuesday, Youngkin said he intends to stump for more candidates later this year.

“I’m going to go to work in the fall to support Republican governors in their races,” he said. “I got a lot of help from Republican governors in my campaign, and I’m looking forward to returning the favor. … There will be other trips set through the fall.” Youngkin will travel to Michigan to headline the state GOP’s Aug. 27 convention and campaign for Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon, who is echoing some of the K-12 education themes that Youngkin rode to the Executive Mansion last year as she tries to unseat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) in November. “Governor Youngkin’s victory in Virginia demonstrated the political power of parents who want to be involved in ensuring their children get a great education,” Dixon said in a written statement. “He also understood the economic challenges facing families and the need for safe communities. I am honored for him to join me and help create a family-friendly Michigan.” Ron Weiser, chairman of the Michigan GOP, said Youngkin would help the party “rally the troops.” Left-leaning Progress Michigan greeted the announcement with a harshly worded statement that called out Youngkin for his personal opposition to same-sex marriage and for a lawsuit against him and several other current and former executives of the Carlyle Group accusing them of profiting at the expense of investors and taxpayers.