Former Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he has “more to give” after leaving office earlier this year, fueling speculation about his political future as Republicans look ahead to the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.
In a preview clip released ahead of an interview on conservative commentator Sean Hannity’s podcast, Youngkin suggested he is not finished with public service following the end of his term in January.
Youngkin, who served as Virginia’s governor from 2022 to 2026, did not outline specific next steps in the preview but signaled openness to future opportunities. He said his term went by quickly, but that he felt “purposeful” in that role.
“The one year of campaigning and the four years of running — so five years — went by in five seconds,” he said. “It was amazing. Every morning, I woke up literally bounding out of bed, ready to roll. And that was the most purposeful I’ve ever felt in my whole life.”
He explained that once he left office, he and his wife took a vacation, which left him wanting more from his political career.
“But six weeks has felt like six years,” he said. “I’m just chomping at the bit.”
The comments come as Youngkin’s political profile remains elevated even after his single term leading a politically competitive state came to a close. He did not specify if he would seek another term as governor or look to a higher office.
Virginia law bars governors from serving consecutive terms, forcing Youngkin to step aside after four years in office. He was succeeded by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), whose early tenure has shown signs of political strain despite her decisive 2025 victory.
During her campaign, Spangerger branded herself as a bipartisan candidate but has since leaned more into Democratic policies after taking office.
Recent polling suggests Spanberger faces a more divided electorate than expected early in her administration. A Washington Post-Schar School poll found her approval rating split, with 47% approving and 46% disapproving, reflecting sharp partisan divides across the state.
At the end of his term, Youngkin posted a 50% approval rating against 46% disapproval, despite having entered office after a much tighter race.
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The approval shift for Spanberger could create an opening for Republicans seeking to regain ground in Virginia, but the landscape is changing as the commonwealth is in the midst of a redistricting battle. Under the Virginia Democrats’ redistricting push, the U.S. House delegation would have a 10-1 Democratic advantage.
Spanberger has championed the redistricting initiative and dished out seven figures for a statewide ad buy encouraging voters to approve the referendum to redistrict Virginia.
