Virginia’s Republican candidate for Lt. Governor John Reid hit the campaign trail this weekend despite calls from Governor Glenn Youngkin to bow out.
The request came after a pornographic social media account was uncovered with potential links to Reid, which the candidate denies.
But that split is now playing out among Republicans.
Reid doubled down on his intention to stay in the 2025 Lieutenant Governor’s race despite calls from some in his party to step down.
“I’m the Republican nominee for lt. Governor and I’m more transparent, more conservative and I’m tougher than my detractors and I’m not going anywhere,” Reid said in a video posted to social media after an event in Abingdon billed for him and his two running mates, Winsome Earle-Sears for Governor and Jason Miyares for Attorney General.
Neither of them showed up, but Virginia’s 9th district Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith did and promised to back Reid unless some criminal allegation surfaced.
“I will always support our nominee and it's a basic philosophy of mine,” Griffth said in audio captured by freelance reporter Katie Thomason.
Griffith argued it was hundreds of volunteers across the state, and members of the House of Delegates who helped him get the congressional seat. Among those he mentioned by name was former Henrico County Delegate Jack Reid, John’s father.
But for many religious conservatives Reid’s sexuality remains a problem. Rev. Joshua Daniel Pratt from All Nations Community Church in Lynchburg, pointed to scripture in a write up for Virginia’s Christian Alliance condemning Reid before the social media scandal blew up the race.
Monday morning Pratt doubled down on his concerns about Reid and his alleged plans to marry his longtime partner.
“That is impropriety, that is sexual immorality, and for many that are of the faith, that’s quote a ‘bridge too far,’” Pratt warned.
"We see man with man, woman with woman, homosexuality is sexual immorality," he said. "So being open about it and being open about immorality is actually working that individual against the very will of God."
Pratt also pointed to other Republicans he said faced sex scandals and lost their races as grounds for his hope that Reid does step down.
"They dragged down the ticket for others and basically destroyed themselves politically," he said.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
