Conservative radio host John Reid, Virginia’s Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, has been asked by Governor Glenn Youngkin to withdraw from the race amid controversy over a social media account allegedly linked to Reid that shared pornographic images.
Newsweek has reached out to Youngkin’s and Reid’s press teams for comment via email on Saturday.
Why It Matters
Reid made headlines earlier this week as the first openly gay person nominated for statewide office by either major party in Virginia after Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity announced he was dropping out of the race due to health reasons. If elected in November, Reid would become Virginia’s first openly gay lieutenant governor.
His nomination is a rare example of an LGBTQ+ Republican candidate and comes as the national GOP remains divided on LGBTQ+ issues, with some conservative factions pushing to roll back protections—including marriage equality—and urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision.
Virginia’s gubernatorial election is expected to be a key test for Republicans and Democrats since President Donald Trump took office, with Democratic Senator Tim Kaine calling it the first “bellwether” of Trump’s approval or a potential “Democratic comeback.” The state is currently led by Youngkin and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.
Political campaigns are often influenced by public scandals, such as the case last year, with North Carolina’s lieutenant governor and then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, who faced allegations of activity on an adult website more than a decade ago, as well as posts in which he allegedly called himself a “Black NAZI,” defended slavery, used homophobic slurs and fondly recalled “peeping” on women. Robinson denied he was behind the posts.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke/John Reid Video
What To Know
Youngkin, the Republican governor who is term-limited, asked Reid to withdraw from the race on Friday, as first reported by The Richmonder.
His call for Reid to exit the race came after it surfaced that a social media account believed to be linked to Reid shared sexually explicit posts. The reposted images were not of Reid.
Reid has denied the images are connected to him. In an over five-minute video posted to his Facebook page and his X, formerly Twitter, account, he said on Friday that the allegations are a “coordinated assassination attempt against” him.
Reid, who has been openly gay for over 30 years, called the allegations “a total fabricated internet lie, so basic that a middle schooler could have constructed it.”
While he found the claims “predictable,” based on years of harassment, he noted, “But what I didn’t expect was the governor I have always supported to call and demand my resignation without even showing me the supposed evidence or offering me a chance to respond. I did not accept that, and I deeply resent it.”
The Republican nominee said that someone created the social media account with the same handle he uses for his Instagram name. “That’s not my account,” he said, later adding that “I haven’t publicly performed or publicly posted anything pornographic.”
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for Governor Youngkin’s Spirit of Virginia PAC said in a statement Friday: “The Governor was made aware late Thursday of the disturbing online content. Friday morning, in a call with Mr. Reid, the Governor asked him to step down as the Lt. Governor nominee.”
John Reid said in an X, formerly Twitter, post Saturday: “Waiting for the next crazy personal attack but…I’m moving on…to meet and listen to voters and to talk about how to make Virginia successful for ALL of us in the coming years. Lots of stops on the trail today!”
Former Representative Bob Good, a Virginia Republican, wrote in an X post Friday: “Thank you @GlennYoungkin for showing courageous leadership today. John Reid should do the difficult and right thing, and withdraw from the LG race.”
Republican state Senator Mark Peake wrote in a Thursday X post: “Congratulations to@JohnReid4VA, our Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. John’s dedication to conservative values and his strong record of service to our communities make him the right choice to help lead our Commonwealth forward. I also want to thank @PatHerrityVA for his commitment to the LG race and wish him a full and speedy recovery as he continues to heal.”
What Happens Next?
Reid isscheduled to appear alongside Earle-Sears and Youngkin at an “Ever Forward” event on April 30. As of now, the event website shows it is still set to take place.
If Reid drops out of the race, the Republican Party of Virginia’s state central committee would select a new candidate, newly elected chairman Mark Peake confirmed to Virginia Mercury.
Primary elections are set for June 17, with early voting to start on May 2. The general election will be held on November 4, 2025.
With cultural and policy debates over LGBTQ+ rights front and center, Reid’s campaign could test the viability of LGBTQ+ representation in conservative politics.