A scandal rocking Virginia’s Republican Party threatens to derail its chances in the crucial November 2025 election. Governor Glenn Youngkin, a rising star eyeing a 2028 presidential run, has called for lieutenant-governor nominee John Reid to exit the race over allegations of posting explicit content online.
The New York Post reported that the uproar began last month when the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that a Tumblr account, allegedly linked to Reid’s Instagram handle, contained images of naked men.
Reid, a Richmond-area radio host and the state’s first openly gay statewide nominee, faces accusations that have sparked a firestorm within the GOP. Virginia’s off-year election, just six months away, is a key indicator of the national political mood.
Reid has vehemently denied the allegations, insisting the Tumblr account isn’t his. “That’s not my account,” he declared, noting that anyone can create social media profiles using similar names. Despite the pressure, Reid remains defiant, vowing, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Youngkin, who made history in 2021 as the first Republican to win Virginia’s governorship since 2009, views the scandal as a dangerous distraction.
He argued that explicit social media content diverts attention from pressing issues like fentanyl and job creation. The governor, formerly co-CEO of The Carlyle Group, met privately with Reid one Friday morning in late April to urge his withdrawal.
“It’s a distraction for campaigns,” Youngkin told reporters last week, emphasizing the need to focus on voter priorities. He warned that the controversy could jeopardize Republican prospects in a state that has trended Democratic for two decades. Virginia and New Jersey’s off-year elections are closely watched for clues about the 2026 midterms.
Reid’s supporters, however, see a different motive behind Youngkin’s actions. Some allies claim the governor and his team are targeting Reid because of his sexuality, a charge that has deepened the party’s rift. The accusations have fueled tensions as Republicans grapple with how to handle their embattled nominee.
Not all Republicans have joined Youngkin’s call for Reid to step aside. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, currently running for governor against Democrat Abigail Spanberger, has taken a neutral stance. “It’s his race,” Earle-Sears said, leaving the decision to Reid.
Arlington GOP Chair Matthew Hurt sharply criticized Youngkin’s approach, accusing him of undermining the party’s ticket.
“It’s truly a shame,” Hurt wrote in an email blast, slamming the governor for what he called a divisive tactic. Several other key Republicans have echoed Hurt’s disapproval, highlighting the party’s fractured state.
Youngkin later softened his tone, acknowledging Reid’s resolve to stay in the race. “He’s made up his mind,” Youngkin said, pledging to support the GOP ticket despite his reservations. The governor’s shift suggests an attempt to mend fences as the election looms.
Matt Moran, a longtime Youngkin aide and head of the Spirit of Virginia PAC, has also been drawn into the controversy. Moran denied any role in pressuring Reid to quit, insisting he supported the nominee for nine days before the latest reports surfaced. “Facts matter,” Moran stated, calling the accusations against him baseless.
The controversy has raised questions about the GOP’s ability to stay focused on economic and sovereignty issues that resonate with working-class Virginians.
Small business owners and families, already skeptical of elitist institutions, are frustrated by the party’s internal squabbles. The scandal plays into the hands of progressive ideologues, who thrive on division, critics argue.
Virginia’s political landscape, shaped by its proximity to Washington, DC, makes the November 2025 election a high-stakes battle. The state’s 145,000 federal workers, particularly those near the capital, are a significant voting bloc. Republicans worry that the scandal could alienate these voters, handing Democrats an edge.
Earle-Sears, locked in a tight race with Spanberger, has distanced herself from the Reid controversy. “We all have our race,” she said, focusing on her campaign’s message of traditional values and economic strength.