Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia will be attending the 2023 International Paris Air Show, marking his second overseas official trip since taking office in January. The visit, scheduled for June 17-20, will include stops at Pointe Du Hoc, Omaha Beach, and the Normandy American Cemetery. Youngkin will be meeting with aerospace principals, defense companies, and other industry leaders in an effort to enhance Virginia’s aerospace industry.
Virginia is home to top aerospace and defense companies, including Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman. The state has also been home to many successful aerospace and unmanned aircraft projects, leading to more than 4,200 jobs created and over $850 million invested in the past decade.
Speaking about the upcoming trip, Governor Youngkin said that Virginia has the “capabilities and talented workforce for all aerospace companies to expand and grow.” His objective is to demonstrate the state’s commitment to working with aerospace leaders to build a safer and more connected world.
Previous Governors of Virginia have attended the Paris Air Show, a testament to the state’s links to the aerospace and defense sectors. Youngkin’s trip follows his participation in a trade mission to Asia, where he had a meeting with the President of Taiwan. His overseas agenda has fuelled speculation that he may enter the Republican Party’s presidential race in 2024.
Whilst Youngkin has not yet announced his plans, some believe he has a good chance of getting the nomination. He was elected as a solid conservative with a moderate temperament and tone, drawing in suburban swing voters who do not usually vote Republican. Youngkin’s successful campaign strategy, which focuses on state issues, may serve as a model for his party in tough races. Additionally, his personal wealth of nearly $500 million allows him to keep up with any money-raising machine.
The timetable for the 2024 election may not work in Youngkin’s favour, and he lacks nationwide name recognition. However, he could stand a better chance of defeating the Democrats than Donald Trump or Florida Governor DeSantis, who are also running for the nomination.
In summary, Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia will attend the 2023 International Paris Air Show, where he hopes to affirm Virginia’s commitment to working with aerospace leaders whilst also encouraging aerospace investment in the state. The previous attendance of Virginia Governors at the Paris Air Show is a testament to the state’s ties to the aerospace and defense sectors. Youngkin’s success in the Virginia Governorship race, and his personal wealth, have fueled speculation that he may enter the Republican Party’s presidential race in 2024, although no official announcement has been made yet.
