Glenn Youngkin

Glenn Youngkin
Born	Glenn Allen Youngkin 9 12, 1966
Birthplace	Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Title	74th Governor of Virginia
Known for	74th Governor of Virginia
Education	Rice University (BA, BS) Harvard University (MBA)
Children	4

Glenn Allen Youngkin (born December 9, 1966) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 74th Governor of Virginia from January 15, 2022, to January 17, 2026. A member of the Republican Party, Youngkin entered politics after a quarter-century career in private equity at The Carlyle Group, where he rose to the position of co-chief executive officer. In the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election, he won the Republican nomination and went on to defeat former Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe in the general election, becoming the first Republican to win the Virginia governorship since Bob McDonnell in 2009. As governor, Youngkin pursued a mix of fiscal conservatism and social policy priorities, signing a bipartisan state budget that paired increased education spending with tax cuts, opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and engaging in debates over transgender student policies, abortion restrictions, and marijuana regulation. Barred from seeking re-election by Virginia's constitutional prohibition on consecutive gubernatorial terms, Youngkin was succeeded by Democrat Abigail Spanberger in January 2026. Following the conclusion of his term, Youngkin has been discussed as a potential candidate in the 2028 United States presidential election.

Early Life

Glenn Allen Youngkin was born on December 9, 1966, in Richmond, Virginia. He grew up in Virginia and spent part of his youth in the Hampton Roads area, where he attended Norfolk Academy, a private college-preparatory school. At Norfolk Academy, Youngkin was active in athletics and graduated in 1985.

Youngkin's father, Carroll Youngkin, was an executive in the business world. The family's Virginia roots informed Youngkin's later political identity as a candidate who emphasized his connection to the Commonwealth.

Standing approximately 6 feet 6 inches tall, Youngkin was a notable athlete during his formative years. He played basketball at a competitive level, a pursuit he continued into college.

Education

Youngkin enrolled at Rice University in Houston, Texas, where he pursued a dual academic course of study, earning both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree. While at Rice, he played on the university's varsity basketball team. His height and athletic ability made him a contributor to the program, though he ultimately pursued a career in business rather than professional sports.

After completing his undergraduate education at Rice, Youngkin attended Harvard Business School, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA). His graduate education at Harvard provided the foundation for his subsequent career in finance and private equity.

Career

The Carlyle Group

Following his MBA from Harvard, Youngkin joined The Carlyle Group, one of the world's largest private-equity firms, based in Washington, D.C. He spent 25 years at the firm, rising through its ranks in a career that spanned from the mid-1990s through 2020.

Youngkin's rise at Carlyle was documented by The Wall Street Journal in 2017, which profiled him as part of the firm's next generation of leadership. The article described Youngkin as a "homegrown quarterback" within the organization, reflecting his long tenure and internal development at the firm. In 2018, Youngkin was elevated to the position of co-chief executive officer of The Carlyle Group, sharing the top leadership role at the firm.

During his time at Carlyle, Youngkin's compensation placed him among the highest-paid executives in the private-equity industry. Business Insider reported that his earnings exceeded those of many corporate CEOs. Youngkin also held director-level appointments with companies in Carlyle's portfolio internationally.

Youngkin stepped down from his role at Carlyle in 2020 ahead of his entry into Virginia politics. His wealth accumulated during his private-equity career became a significant factor in his gubernatorial campaign, enabling substantial self-funding of his race.

In addition to his corporate work, Youngkin engaged in philanthropic activity. Norfolk Academy highlighted his role in creating a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting unemployed workers, an effort that drew on his business experience and connections.

Entry into Politics and 2021 Gubernatorial Campaign

On January 26, 2021, Youngkin formally announced his candidacy for Governor of Virginia in the 2021 election cycle. The announcement was reported by The Washington Post, which described him as a former Carlyle executive entering the race without prior political experience. His entry into the race was also covered by the Associated Press, which noted his Richmond roots and Republican affiliation.

Youngkin campaigned as a political outsider, emphasizing his business background and drawing contrasts with career politicians. He engaged with Republican grassroots organizations across Virginia during the primary season. In February 2021, for example, he appeared at the Fauquier County Republican Committee's monthly meeting as part of his efforts to build support among party activists.

Youngkin won the Republican primary for governor, securing the nomination through a party-run unassembled convention process. In the November 2021 general election, he faced former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe, who was seeking to return to the office he had held from 2014 to 2018. Education policy, including debates over school curricula and parental involvement in public education, emerged as a central issue in the campaign. Youngkin's emphasis on parental rights in education resonated with many Virginia voters.

Youngkin defeated McAuliffe in the general election, becoming the first Republican to win the Virginia governorship since Bob McDonnell's victory in 2009. His win was accompanied by Republican victories in the races for lieutenant governor (Winsome Earle-Sears) and attorney general (Jason Miyares), giving the party a sweep of the three statewide offices.

Governor of Virginia (2022–2026)

Inauguration and Early Priorities

Youngkin was inaugurated as the 74th Governor of Virginia on January 15, 2022, succeeding Democrat Ralph Northam. Winsome Earle-Sears served as his lieutenant governor throughout his term. Upon taking office, Youngkin moved quickly on several campaign promises, including executive actions related to education policy and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

COVID-19 Policy

As governor, Youngkin supported COVID-19 vaccination efforts but opposed government mandates requiring vaccination. One of his early executive actions was to ban mask mandates in Virginia's public schools, a move that drew both support and opposition. The mask mandate ban was partially rescinded following legal challenges from school districts that argued the governor's order conflicted with existing public health authorities.

Budget and Fiscal Policy

During his first year in office, Youngkin signed a bipartisan state budget that combined increased spending on education with expansive tax cuts. This approach reflected his effort to balance fiscal conservatism with investments in areas he had emphasized during his campaign, particularly education.

Toward the end of his term, Youngkin proposed a two-year budget for the Commonwealth. After his departure from office, the Virginia General Assembly's money committees undertook significant revisions to the proposal. In February 2026, the legislature rolled out sweeping amendments to the former governor's proposed budget with a focus on affordability and no new taxes.

Education Policy

Education was a defining theme of Youngkin's governorship, consistent with the centrality of the issue during his 2021 campaign. He advocated for increased parental involvement in school curricula and opposed certain pedagogical approaches related to race and history. In December 2025, Youngkin hosted U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon at Winding Creek Elementary School in Virginia to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), underscoring his administration's engagement with federal education policy.

Youngkin's administration also repealed protections for transgender students in public schools, a move that generated significant controversy and aligned with broader national debates over gender identity policies in education.

Social Policy

Youngkin's term included several notable actions on social issues. He signed a bill passed by the Democratic-controlled legislature to protect same-sex marriage in Virginia, codifying marriage equality at the state level. At the same time, his administration took a different posture on transgender rights, repealing guidelines that had provided protections for transgender students.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022), which overturned Roe v. Wade, Youngkin advocated for abortion restrictions in Virginia. He proposed a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, but the effort was unsuccessful in the state legislature, where Democrats gained a majority in the Virginia Senate and later the full General Assembly.

On marijuana policy, Youngkin opposed various legislative efforts to liberalize recreational marijuana laws in Virginia. He did, however, sign a bill that eased the medical marijuana registration process, reflecting a more targeted approach to cannabis policy.

Environmental and Infrastructure Initiatives

In December 2025, near the end of his term, Youngkin announced $99 million in grants and loans from the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund. The awards were directed toward communities across the Commonwealth to address flood risk and resilience.

Final Address and End of Term

In January 2026, Youngkin delivered his final State of the Commonwealth address to both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly. The speech served as a capstone to his four-year term, summarizing his administration's accomplishments and priorities. Youngkin left office on January 17, 2026, and was succeeded by Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who won the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election.

Personal Life

Glenn Youngkin and his wife, Suzanne, have four children. The family has resided in Virginia, consistent with Youngkin's long personal and professional ties to the Commonwealth. Youngkin is known for his height — approximately 6 feet 6 inches — and his background as a college basketball player at Rice University.

Youngkin has been involved in philanthropic efforts, including the creation of a nonprofit organization focused on assisting unemployed workers, an initiative highlighted by his alma mater Norfolk Academy.

Post-Governorship

Following his departure from the governor's office in January 2026, Youngkin's political future became a subject of media speculation. The Washington Post reported that Youngkin had "long had ambitions beyond Virginia" but that his next steps remained uncertain, noting what the paper described as "tricky dynamics" surrounding his potential political prospects.

The Wall Street Journal's editorial board published an opinion piece in February 2026 titled "Glenn Youngkin for President," describing the former governor as "a breath of fresh air" and suggesting he merited consideration as a presidential candidate. Youngkin has been discussed as a potential candidate in the 2028 United States presidential election.

Recognition

Youngkin's 2021 election victory was noted by political analysts as a significant development in Virginia politics, as it ended a period of more than a decade during which Democrats had won every statewide race in the Commonwealth. His campaign's focus on education and parental rights influenced subsequent Republican campaign strategies in other states.

In December 2025, Youngkin's engagement with federal education policy was recognized when U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Virginia for a joint appearance with the governor to mark the 50th anniversary of IDEA.

Youngkin also participated in intergovernmental forums, including the Council of Governors, which held its 32nd Plenary Meeting in Washington, D.C., in February 2026.