Republican voters cut Youngkin some slack as he walks tightrope on Trump

Donald Trump may not physically be in Virginia for the commonwealth's critical off-year elections. But to Glenn Youngkin's most ardent supporters, the way their candidate has kept Trump at a distance will all be worth it if he wins on Tuesday.

Trump, despite not traveling to Virginia to stump for Youngkin, has been an overriding presence in the race, with Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe attempting to tie his opponent to a man who lost the commonwealth by 10 percentage points in 2020. Youngkin has responded by trying to walk a fine line with the former President: He has gladly accepted Trump's endorsement numerous times, but he has also kept him at arm's length in the close of the campaign.

For Democrats, the dueling campaign strategies have turned the Virginia race into a referendum on the potency of Trump as a former President. But for many in Youngkin's camp, the opportunity to defeat Democrats in Virginia far outweighs any questions they have about Trump's lack of a presence in the race.