Virginia’s Republican lieutenant governor candidate John Reid stands defiant against calls to withdraw from the race, including from his own party’s governor, amid controversial allegations he strongly denies.
Key Takeaways
- John Reid, who would be Virginia’s first openly gay lieutenant governor, refuses to drop out despite pressure from Governor Glenn Youngkin and party leaders.
- Reid denies ownership of a Tumblr account containing explicit imagery that had a username matching his Instagram handle.
- The candidate claims the account was fabricated to sabotage his campaign because of his sexuality.
- With early voting approaching and his Republican opponent having withdrawn for health reasons, Reid remains the sole GOP candidate.
- The controversy highlights increasing scrutiny of politicians’ online activities in today’s digital landscape.
Republican Candidate Defies Governor’s Call to Withdraw
Virginia Republican John Reid has refused to bow to pressure from Governor Glenn Youngkin and other party leaders urging him to exit the lieutenant governor race. Reid, who would become the first openly gay man to hold statewide office in Virginia if elected, maintains his campaign despite allegations connecting him to a Tumblr account containing explicit photos. The account, which reportedly had a username matching Reid’s Instagram handle, was deleted after reposting images of naked men according to reports from The Richmonder.
“I’m mad as hell,” Reid declared in a recent statement, categorically denying any connection to the controversial social media account. The candidate expressed disappointment that Governor Youngkin demanded his resignation without what Reid considers proper evidence, suggesting the timing of these allegations was strategically orchestrated to derail his campaign just as early voting in Virginia’s primaries approaches.
Last Republican Standing
Reid’s position in the race became more complicated when his only Republican opponent, Pat Herrity, dropped out citing health concerns. This development left Reid as the sole Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, creating a dilemma for party leadership who now face the prospect of having no GOP candidate if Reid withdraws. The controversy emerged at a particularly critical juncture in the electoral calendar, with early voting set to begin and limited options for the party to field an alternative candidate.
Governor Youngkin’s call for Reid’s resignation aligned with demands from the conservative Family Foundation Action group, signaling concern about potential erosion of support from Christian conservative voters in Virginia. Youngkin had initially supported Reid’s candidacy before calling for his withdrawal after the controversial allegations surfaced, highlighting the sensitive political calculations at play within the Republican Party.
Virginia’s GOP lieutenant governor race heats up: a candidate says Gov. Youngkin pressured him to quit over a smear campaign. Here’s what happened: https://t.co/d47hUbRfiE
— WUSA9 (@wusa9) April 26, 2025
Claims of Targeted Smear Campaign
Reid has forcefully characterized the allegations as a deliberate smear campaign targeting him because of his sexual orientation. “This account was created to spread lies about me,” Reid stated, suggesting the timing and nature of the allegations were designed to sabotage his historic candidacy. Beyond the Tumblr account controversy, Reid has also faced pressure from within his party regarding his attendance at a drag show, further complicating his relationship with more conservative elements of the GOP base.
The incident underscores the increased scrutiny politicians face regarding their online activities and personal lives. Similar controversies have affected candidates across the political spectrum, including Virginia Democrat Susanna Gibson, who experienced comparable scrutiny over online content. As digital footprints become increasingly significant in political vetting processes, candidates must navigate a landscape where allegations about online behavior can quickly impact electoral viability.
Sources:
- ‘Let’s be honest, it’s because I’m openly gay’ | Republican candidate claims governor pressured him to quit race
- Virginia GOP candidate for lieutenant governor says he won’t exit race despite governor’s push | The Independent
