Governor Glenn Youngkin's push for a new conservative direction within the Republican Party is being put to the test in the Virginia legislative elections on Tuesday. These elections are seen as a referendum on Youngkin's non-MAGA brand of conservative politics, with candidates for the state House of Delegates and state Senate who align with his vision. Youngkin has invested significant time, resources, and endorsements in an effort to flip the state Senate and maintain control of the House of Delegates.

All 140 seats in the Democrat-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House of Delegates are up for election, with candidates running on newly redrawn district maps. Youngkin's political future relies on these elections, as Virginia governors are not allowed to serve consecutive terms. A Republican victory would give Youngkin the opportunity to enact a conservative agenda with Republican majorities.

To ensure the success of his strategy, Youngkin and his political team have been actively recruiting candidates who mirror his more traditional brand of GOP conservatism. The focus has been on selecting candidates who can appeal to both Trump supporters and suburban voters. Efforts included providing candidates with messaging training, organizing boot camp meetings, and discouraging campaigns from disputing the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Youngkin's key policies, such as a proposed 15-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, have been emphasized among candidates. His team has sought to maintain discipline among all candidates, even beyond the 10 candidates endorsed by Youngkin in primaries. Candidates were urged to rally around Youngkin's proposals in order to keep distractions to a minimum.

The success of Youngkin's strategy remains uncertain. Democrats project that maintaining control of the Senate would allow them to continue blocking the governor's policies. Furthermore, Virginia's trend of favoring Democrats and the focus on abortion rights in light of the recent Dobbs Supreme Court decision could pose challenges for Republican candidates.

Despite the risks involved, Youngkin's political apparatus has worked closely with campaigns to advise on messaging, spending, and campaign operations. The governor's Spirit of Virginia PAC has raised over $18.78 million, with contributions going towards supporting candidates who align with Youngkin's conservative vision. Republican state Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, who supports Youngkin's proposed abortion limit, has received the largest contribution from the PAC.

A crucial part of Youngkin's strategy has been endorsing candidates in competitive primaries, aiming to bolster his preferred candidates against more extreme or inexperienced opponents. Youngkin has made numerous campaign stops and has sought to appeal to diverse groups within Virginia, highlighting the diversity of the Republican Party compared to the MAGA brand. However, local candidates, personalities, and district-specific issues may still play a significant role in determining the outcome of these competitive races, independent of the governor's influence.

The Democratic National Committee and other Democratic groups have also entered the race, alarmed by Youngkin's fundraising efforts and the high stakes involved. Democrats fear that Republican control of the legislature could lead to the rollback of progressive voting laws enacted by Democrats in 2020.

As voters head to the polls in Virginia, all eyes are on the outcome of these legislative elections, which will determine the future political landscape and the viability of Youngkin's non-MAGA Republican strategy. The results will serve as a gauge of the state's shifting political dynamics and the potential impact it may have on upcoming political endeavors for Youngkin, be it a late entry into the Republican presidential primary or a run for the US Senate in the near future.