Gov. Youngkin, House Speaker Scott react to 2025 gubernatorial election results

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Tuesday night's election marked the first since Democrats swept all three statewide offices. Now, Virginians are hearing from Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and House Speaker Don Scott (D).

Scott said the statewide results, along with the fact that Democrats will pick up at least a dozen seats in the House of Delegates, prove that voters have given his party a clear mandate.

“House Democrats and Abigail Spanberger have shown the country a roadmap to victory,” Scott told reporters during a press conference on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Scott added that Democrats won because they focused their messaging on making life more affordable in Virginia.

“They’re feeling the pain in the pocketbook," Scott said. "We got to stay focused on kitchen table issues, but they [are] also afraid that our Democracy is eroding and being attacked, and they want us to stand up, and that’s what we’re gonna do."

Despite campaigning for and supporting Republican gubernatorial nominee and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Youngkin emphasized that he and his administration will support governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and her team and prepare her for the first day of her administration in January.

Youngkin added that the ongoing federal government shutdown hurt Republicans at the ballot box.

This comes as the government shutdown entered its 46th full day on Nov. 5, officially making it the longest in U.S. history.

“The challenge of this government shutdown is real, and I am incredibly understanding of that challenge for all Virginians, and I think it caused quite a turnout yesterday,” Youngkin said.

However, Youngkin said Earle-Sears’s nearly 15-point loss is not a reflection of the job he has done as the governor.

“Bottom line is more jobs, safer communities, excellence in education, making sure that we're taking care of your money, because it is your money, we’ve run ten billion of surpluses, and we have had $9 billion of tax relief,” Youngkin said.