Democrat former Gov. Terry McAuliffe conceded to Republican governor-elect Glenn Youngkin in the Virginia gubernatorial race on Wednesday morning. His public acknowledgement came after multiple news outlets called the race for his GOP opponent shortly after midnight.
“While last night we came up short, I am proud that we spent this campaign fighting for the values we so deeply believe in,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “We must protect Virginia’s great public schools and invest in our students.”
“We must protect affordable health care coverage, raise the minimum wage faster, and expand paid leave so working families have a fighting shot,” he continued. “We must protect voting rights, protect a woman’s right to choose, and, above all else, we must protect our democracy.”
