Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) was criticized by some members of his party for an alleged phone call he made to the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor.

John Reid is running to replace Virginia’s current lieutenant governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running for governor. Reid said he received a call from Youngkin regarding a “fake” social media account impersonating him that posted sexually explicit photos of “other people,” and Youngkin suggested Reid drop out of the race over it.

Reid said he is committed to remaining in the race, saying the phone call was Youngkin’s effort “to force the first openly gay Republican candidate off of the Virginia statewide ticket.”

Others in the Virginia Republican Party are speaking out to support Reid. Arlington GOP Chairman Matthew Hurtt issued a statement Monday accusing Youngkin’s “political operation” of throwing “a grenade into the statewide republican ticket.”

“It is appropriate for the Governor to make that call and to have a frank conversation with a candidate about an issue — any issue — he sees as potentially problematic on the campaign trail. What is not appropriate is an unelected, unaccountable consultant leaking the details of that call to the press to gin up a scandal,” Hurtt said.

“I spoke with John last night on the phone. I believe John. And I will continue to support John as our nominee for Lieutenant Governor,” Hurtt continued. “I learned a long time ago: In politics, success is measured in part from the strength of the organization you leave behind once you leave your leadership post. If this is how the Governor’s political operation wants to close out his term in Richmond — by tossing a grenade into the statewide Republican ticket — it’s truly a shame.”

The Washington Examiner reached out to Youngkin’s office for comment.

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Earle-Sears has not endorsed a lieutenant governor candidate in the 2026 race. The Washington Examiner also reached out to her campaign for comment.

Reid is the GOP’s sole candidate for lieutenant governor after Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity decided to suspend his campaign.