Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered his third annual State of the Commonwealth address at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond on Monday. The speech marked a delayed start to the 2025 legislative session after water shortages impacted Greater Richmond last week.
As he begins his final year in office, Youngkin reflected on his tenure and addressed key issues like economic development, education, tax relief and public safety. Youngkin also outlined a vision for Virginia’s future beyond his administration.
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— Gov. Youngkin arrives
Gov. Glenn Youngkin arrives to deliver his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Attorney General Miyares makes his way past a bust
Attorney General Jason Miyares arrives ahead of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Sens. Perry and Craig make their way past a statue to the House of Delegates
Senators Russet Perry, D-Loudoun, Christie New Craig, R-Chesapeake, and Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, make their way to the House Chambers for Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Sen Lucas and Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears get their photo taken by Sen. Stanley
Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County takes a picture of Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, ahead of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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— First Lady Youngkin smiles and waves
First Lady Suzanne Youngkin waves as she arrives for Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Sergean at Arms Pearson annouces the arrival of the Governor
Sergeant at Arms Jay Pearson introduces Gov. Glenn Youngkin to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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— Gov. Youngking chats with Littel and Attorney General Miyares on the house floor
Gov. Glenn Youngkin chats with Chief of Staff John Littel and Attorney General Jason Miyares before his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin shakes hands with Sen. Lucas and Speaker Scott and Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears looks look
Gov. Glenn Youngkin shakes hands with Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, as Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears look on before delivering his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Speaker Scott and Sen. Lucas look as Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth listens along Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin shakes hands with Sen. Lucas and Speaker Scott and Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears looks look
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, left, listens along Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth and Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin is seen is a fractured glass as he delivers remarks with Lt. Gov. Earle Sears looking on
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears looks on as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives a thumbs up as he delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears applauds along Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth applaud as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears applauds along Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth applaud as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Del King laughs
Del. Candi Mundon King, D-Prince William, chats with another caucus member as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Del Price listens
Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News listens as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Attendee listen and chat amongst themselves as Gov. Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth address
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears chat
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears chats with Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin delivers remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin winks after delivering remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin winks after mouthing “I love you” First Lady Suzanne Youngkin after delivering the State of the Commonwealth address to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears, Speaker Scott, and Sen. Lucas applaud after Gov. Youngkin’s remarks
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears applauds along Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth and Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth after Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered his State of the Commonwealth to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin leaves after delivering remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin leaves after delivering his State of the Commonwealth address to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin leaves after delivering remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin leaves after delivering his State of the Commonwealth address to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Gov. Youngkin leaves after delivering remarks at a podium
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives remarks to the media after delivering his State of the Commonwealth address to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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— Senetors and Delegates speak to the media
Democratic caucus members including Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, left, House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, Speaker of the House Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William and Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax, give responses to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address to the joint session of the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
It's his penultimate SOTC as Virginia's chief executive and comes a bit later than expected due to Richmond's water issues last week.
Last month, the governor unveiled his proposed “Keep Virginia Winning” budget amendments, which included lowering the cost of living for working families, expanding educational opportunities for students and continuing critical investments.
During his speech, Youngkin said state lawmakers have an opportunity to work together this session — not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Virginians to keep the state “winning.”
Rich Meagher, political analyst and host of RVA’s Got Issues, joined VPM News’ Keyris Manzanares to discuss Youngkin’s speech and legacy.
Watch VPM News' coverage of the 2025 State of the Commonwealth or read along with the transcript below.
KEYRIS MANZANARES: This is VPM's special coverage of the 2025 State of the Commonwealth Address. Joining me now is VPM News Political Analyst, Rich Meagher. Thank you for being here, Rich.
RICH MEAGHER: Great to be here, Keyris.
KEYRIS MANZANARES: Rich, what stood out to you in the governor's speech?
RICH MEAGHER: Well, certainly the themes. Right. So, particularly the words “soaring” and “winning.” Now “soaring,” we've heard before from Governor Youngkin, you know, his sort of positive vibes, kind of attitude.
But the idea of “winning,” I mean, it sounds almost a little Trumpian. I mean, so here is a chance for the governor to combine his kind of positive spirit, you know, the spirit of Virginia soaring, but along with some possibly divisive rhetoric. [The] kind that's more familiar to folks from the national Republican Party and from its leader.
So, I think here we're seeing Youngkin do what he’s tried to do the last few years, which is kind of find a middle ground between his sort of moderating instincts and what his party is all about. So, I think that's a little bit of what he's trying to do with that winning idea.
KEYRIS MANZANARES: For people listening at home, do you think this message will resonate with Virginians?
RICH MEAGHER: I mean, I certainly think for Republicans it will. It's not so bad in terms of reaching out. And Gov. Youngkin is a very, you know, sort of popular even among some Democrats. And I think, if he's able to kind of carry it forward.
I mean, the problem with calling out winners is that sometimes you might have losers, right? And so, if the idea here is that anyone is opposed to us, [they] are folks who are on the losing side.
That might be more of a problem, a little more divisive than he wants it to be.
KEYRIS MANZANARES: And what can we expect from this year's General Assembly? What issues do you think will receive bipartisan support?
RICH MEAGHER: Yeah, I mean, so the governor has already laid out what his agenda is and whether it's bipartisan or not, I think we saw with some of the standing ovations. Right? Democrats were standing for some things, but not others.
One thing I thought was interesting was the idea of a gaming commission, right? That brought up some Democratic support, but on key issues that the governor really is making the centerpiece of both this speech and probably his agenda this year: education and tax cuts.
I think he's going to have some tough fights with the Democrats who control the legislature on those issues.
So bipartisan support, you know, obviously there are lots of bills that get passed, but I think it's going to be some odd things that we're not sure about. Things like data centers that the governor mentioned, which leads to odd bedfellows, because it's not quite so partisan an issue.
But on the big kind of big-ticket partisan issues that have often come up in the General Assembly, tax cuts, education issues, I don't think we're going to see some bipartisan coming together on that.
KEYRIS MANZANARES: And let's take a moment to talk about last week's special elections. What is the impact of that, in this year's legislative session?
RICH MEAGHER: Sure, I mean, besides the chance for the governor to reach out to those folks who are newly elected and to mangle the name of poor Sen. Srinivasan, I'm not sure that that's exactly the best way to offer an olive branch to the new Democrats in the General Assembly.
But I do think that it's led to a kind of restoration or a support of the status quo. Right? The three seats that were open were all seats that were either one solidly red or two solidly blue. Nothing happened to kind of change the balance of power in the General Assembly.
So certainly more new faces means, you know, more new ideas and more rookies in the General Assembly. But I think the balance of power remains the same. And it's that partisan balance of power that's really driving how things worked here in the General Assembly these days.
KEYRIS MANZANARES: And, you know, with this being Youngkin’s last year in office, how would you sum up his legacy?
RICH MEAGHER: I mean, he certainly wants, I think, to take some big swings this year. Taking down the car tax, something that has defeated numerous governors before.
Everyone hates the car tax, but Democrats are unsure if we can afford to give up the revenue that comes with it. So taking a big swing like that, I think he wants to leave behind some big lasting effects.
I think, though, what's most likely going to be his legacy is like the legacy of his- the person he defeated, Terry McAuliffe, which is his veto record.
Now, Glenn Youngkin’s actually already set a record for the number of vetoes. And I think more likely the thing we're going to remember him for is being that red wall blocking the things that Democrats were trying to do more than any kind of positive agenda that he wanted to pass.
KEYRIS MANZANARES: Thank you, Rich, for your insights, and thank you for watching our special coverage of the 2025 State of the Commonwealth Address.
The governor, as you know, spoke today and you can stay up to date with our news coverage of the legislative session by heading to VPM.org/generalassembly.
For VPM News, I'm Keyris Manzanares.
