Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin makes 2024 White House decision

Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday that he will not be tossing his hat in the 2024 presidential race — at least for now.

When asked by Wall Street Journal editor Gerard Baker of the Milken Institute in Los Angeles if he would campaign for the White House later this year, Youngkin replied, “No.”

“I’ll be working in Virginia this year,” added the Commonwealth governor.

Youngkin has been considered a possible GOP presidential nominee since his shock win in the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial race over Terry McAuliffe.

The first-term governor said Monday he was focused on his state’s general election.

“I want to keep our House, and I want to turn our Senate over. And I think we’re doing a really good job in Virginia, and I think this is a chance to get that across to voters,” Youngkin said, adding that he hopes to work with state legislators to ” Bringing Common Sense Solutions to Work” on the challenges facing Virginians.

When Baker tried to urge Youngkin on his presidential ambitions, the governor hesitated.

“So, in the words of LBJ, you will not seek and, if nominated, serve and accept the Republican nomination for President of the United States?” Baker asked.

“We’ll leave that to LBJ,” Youngkin replied.

An aide to the governor clarified to NBC News that Youngkin only answered Baker’s questions regarding 2023, leaving the door open to a possible announcement in 2024 or in a future presidential election.

Unlike other states, Virginia governors are not permitted to serve consecutive terms.

Youngkin’s term at the governor’s mansion ends in January 2026.

A Wall Street Journal poll of possible GOP presidential candidates for 2024, published last month, found that Youngkin received just 1% support.

He joins former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan as the 2024 candidates who have announced they will not enter the fray this cycle.