In the years since Tim Kaine and Mark Warner followed a path from the Virginia governor’s office to the Senate, posts that both Democrats still hold, the record for the state’s more recent leaders has been scattered.

Bob McDonnell was indicted on corruption charges within a month of leaving office, in 2014. Terry McAuliffe thought about running for president but ultimately did not, then he lost his 2021 bid to reclaim his old job as governor. And Ralph Northam has largely receded from politics after his term was marked by a blackface scandal in 2019.

But Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who like all Virginia governors is prohibited by state law from seeking a second consecutive term, appears to have a stronger political future.

Youngkin, 58, will leave office in January with relatively high approva

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