John Reid, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor of Virginia and the first openly gay man to run on a major party’s statewide ticket, has accused Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s political team of trying to force him out of the race through what he calls extortion. In a series of videos, Reid claimed he was threatened with fake sexually explicit photos allegedly tied to a fabricated Tumblr account and said he received a direct call from the governor asking him to step down.

Reid alleges that when he refused, his aides were contacted again and told the damaging material would vanish if he dropped out. “This is extortion, and it is illegal in Virginia,” he said, adding he has no plans to exit the race. He became the nominee just a week ago after the previous candidate, Pat Herrity, withdrew for health reasons.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia.

Youngkin defended his outreach, saying such allegations are distractions from serious issues. He emphasized it was Reid’s decision to continue his campaign. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears echoed that sentiment, saying unity should be the focus, but left the decision solely to Reid.

Grassroots Republican support for Reid appears strong. Matthew Hurtt, chair of the Arlington County Republican Committee, said most local members want Reid to stay in the race and would still vote for him. Meanwhile, critics like political analyst Bob Holsworth say the controversy has further fractured the party and painted Youngkin as alienating a historic nominee. A planned unity rally involving Youngkin and the statewide ticket was cancelled, though supporters held a separate rally for Reid in Sterling on Monday.