Youngkin, who was elected in 2021 in what was a major victory for the GOP in blue-trending Virginia, has seen his stock rise amid DeSantis’ stumbles.
Billionaire media baron Rupert Murdoch has repeatedly urged Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia to jump into the Republican presidential primary, according to The .
Murdoch made the push in at least two meetings with Youngkin several months ago, according to two individuals who have knowledge of the encounters.
The revelation comes after The New York Times reported that Murdoch was interested in a Youngkin presidential bid, with the Fox News Corp. chairman also reportedly expressing his view that former President Donald Trump is unhealthy for the Republican Party.
The Times piece also highlighted how Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, once seen as the savior of Republicans looking to move on from Trump, has faced tougher coverage from right-leaning media outlets as his presidential bid struggles against the former president’s enduring dominance among GOP voters.
Murdoch’s second meeting with Youngkin occurred in the spring, while the timing of the earlier discussion is unclear, according to The Post.
Youngkin, who was elected in 2021 in what was a breakthrough victory for Republicans in blue-trending Virginia, has put his energy into maintaining GOP control of the state House of Delegates and flipping the state Senate — which if successful would bolster his national profile even further.
