US EditionTop Youngkin aide steps down amid controversy over lieutenant governor nominee
- Matthew Moran, a top aide to Gov. Glenn Youngkin, stepped down from leading the Spirit of Virginia PAC amid controversy over lieutenant governor nominee John Reid in early May 2025 in Virginia.
- The resignation followed disputes in the Virginia GOP triggered by allegations about Reid’s social media, prompting Youngkin to urge Reid to withdraw from the race.
- Reid, the first openly gay statewide nominee for lieutenant governor, denied ownership of the explicit Tumblr account and vowed to continue his campaign despite demands to step down.
- Moran denied attacking or coercing Reid in a sworn affidavit and responded to a cease-and-desist letter claiming defamation, while Reid accused Youngkin's team of politically targeting him.
- The Virginia GOP stressed party unity ahead of crucial 2025 elections and urged support for its diverse ticket, with Reid’s candidacy and Moran’s departure reflecting ongoing intra-party tensions.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Youngkin adviser steps down after John Reid drama
A longtime staffer for Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) is stepping down from the governor’s political action committee after becoming the center of a controversy involving the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in Virginia. Matt Moran has stepped down from his role as executive director of Spirit of Virginia, per multiple reports. The Washington Examiner reached out to Spirit of Virginia for comment on the report. Moran’s exit from the PAC …
The details may be different, but the John Reid controversy isn't new. Here are 3 political dramas from the past.
Clearly, the John Reid controversy involving Gov. Glenn Youngkin is at the top of every Virginia politico’s mind. However, the controversy has three antecedents that those of us in 2025 might find interesting.First, let’s go back to 1957. Why? That’s the last time that a major party nominee for one of the three statewide constitutional offices abandoned a nomination. In 1957, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Howard Gilme…
Top Youngkin aide steps down amid controversy over lieutenant governor nominee
The head of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) Spirit of Virginia PAC, Matt Moran, has stepped down from his role amid the controversy surrounding the governor calling on the GOP lieutenant governor nominee, John Reid, to suspend his campaign, according to a source familiar with internal deliberations. The development comes a week after Youngkin called…
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