As Youngkin Dabbles in National Politics, Virginians are Wondering What is Fueling His CRT Fire: Is It Racism or Corruption? Or Both?

Richmond, Virginia—Just four months into his first term as an elected official, Governor Glenn Youngkin is already eying the presidency. His move to create two political action committees to donate and influence races across the country signal he is not satisfied with just Virginia and is looking to break onto the national stage. After it came out that his policy positions are positions that just so happen to benefit The Carlyle Group and the 6.7 million shares of stock he owns, we’re left with a lot of questions. Is Youngkin wading into national waters because he thinks his four months of political experience is so valuable? Or is he doing it to enrich himself and other Carlyle Group stockholders?

Youngkin’s push to ban teachers from teaching accurate history like slavery and the civil rights movement in classrooms appears to be fueled not only by racism but also greed and corruption. During the legislative session, he pushed legislation very similar to that of Governor Ron DeSantis in Florida, which resulted in only one textbook company being approved for use in Florida. That company is Accelerate Learning, where The Carlyle Group purchased majority ownership under Glenn Youngkin’s leadership. The only reason it didn’t pass here in Virginia is because Senate Democrats rejected it. Is he starting political action committees so he can influence other states to do the same thing as Florida since he failed to do it in Virginia?

“We should all be very concerned that Glenn Youngkin’s attempt to ban accurate history in Virginia has gotten this far. This kind of narrow-minded bigotry, fueled by personal profit, is dangerous to all Virginians. The further he goes in politics, the more harmful and far reaching his actions will be,” LaTwyla Mathias, Executive Director of Progress Virginia said. “This isn’t about parents’ rights or children getting a good education. The push to ban accurate history boils down to racism, intolerance, and money. Glenn Youngkin doesn’t work for Virginians, or Americans for that matter. He works for The Carlyle Group in every way that matters, because he owns literally millions of shares of Carlyle Group stock and makes money when they do. We must come together and demand that Glenn Youngkin drop his crusade against teachers and focus on the real issues that matter to people in our community like affordable housing and health care access.”

Background:

Glenn Youngkin launched a pair of political organizations, “Spirit of Virginia” and “America’s Spirit” ahead of the midterm elections. This move will allow him to participate in nationwide gubernatorial races, on behalf of GOP candidates.

Glenn Youngkin owns 6.7 million shares of stock in The Carlyle Group. While he may not work there anymore, when The Carlyle Group profits, Glenn Youngkin does too.

The Carlyle Group became majority owner of Accelerate Learning in 2018, while Glenn Youngkin was co-CEO.

Youngkin’s Executive Order One Directive 6 orders the Superintendent of Public Education to “ review all changes made to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s public education curriculum…to identify inherently divisive concepts” and “replace them”.

Senate Democrats rejected SB570, which was Virginia’s version of the bill that passed in Florida making Accelerate Learning the only approved textbook provider. Without Senate Democrats, Virginia would be in the same position. Youngkin’s attempt to put the same language in the budget appears to have gone nowhere, but the final budget has not yet been completed.