Glenn Younkin is projected to defeat Terry McAuliffe in the gubernatorial election, fueled by support from political independents, negative ratings of President Biden and voters focused on the economy and education, according to preliminary exit polls.
Democrats and Republicans turned out in similar numbers in the race and each overwhelmingly supported their party’s candidate, leaving independents to swing the race — who favored Youngkin by a 54 percent to 45 percent margin according to early exit polling, a big swing from the 2020 presidential election where independents favored Biden by 19 points.
Youngkin was also aided by Biden’s negative job approval ratings in the commonwealth and had favorable ratings even among some of those who were unfavorable of former President Trump. CONTINUED
Scott Clement, Emily Guskin & Madison Dong, Washington Post
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