Virginia Governor Youngkin 'Humbled' by Talk of Possible Presidential Run

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) – Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has not ruled out a presidential run in 2024. He said on Thursday that he felt "humiliated" when asked if he would be seeking the Republican nomination.

Youngkin replied when asked by the U.S. Ambassador to Japan if he was interested in running for office. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel.

Youngkin visited Japan to promote his home state as part of a trip that included stops in Taiwan, South Korea and Taiwan. In Tokyo, Youngkin met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishda who, on Monday, had sat down for a meeting with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, an aspiring presidential candidate.

This trip is solely aimed at advancing Virginia's economic relations. Youngkin said, "I have reminded everyone many times that the elections are a long time away."

DeSantis, unlike Youngkin who coordinated his visit with U.S. Embassy officials, did not appear with Emanuel. Emanuel is a former chief-of-staff to President Barack Obama, and a one-time Mayor of Chicago, chosen by Joe Biden to oversee Washington's relationship to its key Asian ally.

Biden, who is 80 years old, announced on Tuesday that he would run for reelection in 2024, a race which could pit him once again against the leading Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump. A Reuters/Ipsos survey completed on Monday found that 44% of Democrats believed Biden to be too old to run.

Reuters/Ipsos' polling indicated that DeSantis won some Republican support for his battle with Walt Disney Co., but that he also risked alienating a large number of American voters who are uncomfortable when companies are targeted because of their political or culture positions.