Some in Virginia GOP are ready to blame Trump for losses

What they’re saying: “Trump running for President is the absolute worst thing that can happen to Virginia state politics,” wrote Del. Tim Anderson, a first-term Republican from Virginia Beach, in a Wednesday morning Facebook post.

• “Republicans must divorce from Trump — for the sake of Virginia and for the sake of the nation. I am going to take the first step and say these things publicly that I know many of my colleagues think,” he added.

The intrigue: Anderson has been accused of being a Trumpy figure himself, making him an unexpected source of criticism.

• He is an outspoken gun shop owner and lawyer with a history of taking on politically charged cases.

Yes, but: It doesn’t look like anyone else in state GOP officialdom is rushing to join him.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin dodged when asked in an interview Wednesday morning if he thought Trump should abandon his 2024 ambitions given Tuesday night’s results.

• “The former president is going to do what the former president is going to do,” Youngkin said.
• He credited Democrats for running “really strong races” in Virginia and said he called Democratic Reps. Spanberger and Wexton to congratulate them on their victories.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to remove a quote that was misattributed to Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Rich Anderson.