As we’ve discussed, Biden and Trump loomed over this race, and the preliminary exit polls suggest attitudes toward Biden may have been more decisive than those toward Trump. Throughout the campaign, Youngkin tried to walk a tightrope when it came to Trump, despite McAuliffe’s continuous efforts to link the Republican nominee to the former president. Youngkin’s careful approach may have worked for him — and McAuliffe’s efforts failed — as the preliminary exit polls suggest about 1 in 5 voters who have an unfavorable view of Trump backed Youngkin. Meanwhile, Biden is now the president and his weakened national standing undoubtedly played a role in why this race is so close. For McAuliffe, that’s a challenge because the preliminary exit polls show only about 1 in 10 voters who disapproved of Biden voted for McAuliffe.
