I wonder if she’s already eyeing a 2028 Presidential run if she wins the governorship. That would be awesome.
I disagree about running for President.
The timing of Virginia gubernatorial elections are *very* unfavorable for running a presidential campaign.
You either have to lay the groundwork for a run immediately, try to run late only to be beset by your midterms, or run long after your term ends when you're less relevant.
Virginia Governors are basically operating on a different timeline from the rest of politics.
VP is a different story, though.
In the event her presidential/vice-presidential aspirations falls through for the 2028 election cycle, she always has the option of running for Sen. Tim Kaine's seat in 2030 provided (1) he retires that year and (2) he is re-elected next year for his fourth term. Gov. Glenn Youngkin would provide a very stiff challenge if he runs against Sen. Kaine next year.
Winning a Gubernatorial election in an off year is very different then winning a senate election in a presidential year
I am not seeing Youngkin beating Sen. Tim Kaine, of course, but he is still a popular governor, and the best Republicans can put forward if his 2024 presidential ambitions are blocked -and if he is not keen to be Trump's sidekick in the Naval Observatory. And then there is the 2026 midterm race against Sen. Mark Warner that he could look forward to if he decides to stick with his present job until the end of his term. Which would work out splendidly for him if President Biden wins a second term.