“We need a whole new approach to absolutely root out the liberal bureaucracy that has taken hold of Richmond and bring the government back to accountability to the people,” Youngkin said.

His Democratic opponent, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, criticized what his campaign called a “Trumpian tax plan,” saying it would lead to drastic cuts in public education and a slowing down economy. ‘State.

“It’s no surprise that Glenn doesn’t know how to invest in Virginia’s economy, given that he’s made hundreds of millions of dollars at the expense of working families – by shipping American jobs to the abroad and raising rents for the elderly, “campaign spokeswoman Christina Freundlich said in a statement. with reference to Youngkin’s work at the Carlyle Group.

The pair, along with third-party candidate Princess Blanding, are in the midst of the country’s only open race for governor this year. Virginia’s unusual off-year election typically attracts disproportionate national attention as a potential indicator leading to midterms.

Current Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam cannot pursue a second consecutive term, and McAuliffe is seeking a rare return to power after preceding Northam.

While Youngkin presented his proposals as “day one” priorities, much of what he described would require General Assembly approval. Democrats currently have full control of the body, although the entire State House is on the ballot this fall, when Democrats defend their 55-45 majority. No seats are to be filled this year in the more moderate Senate, where Democrats have a majority of 21-19 and several members do not always vote by party.

At his rally on Monday, Youngkin described a series of tax cuts he said would save a typical Virginia family of four nearly $ 1,500 in the first year.

He pledged to: eliminate the state tax on groceries; suspend the most recent gasoline tax hike for a year; offer a one-time tax refund of $ 300 for individuals and $ 600 for joint filers; reduce income taxes by doubling the standard deduction; reduce taxes on the retirement income of veterans; and implement a requirement that voters approve local property tax increases.

McAuliffe has not released a detailed tax plan, although his campaign told the Washington Post that he would not raise taxes.

Its policy platform on jobs and the economy pledges to raise the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour by 2024, make childcare more affordable and guarantee time off. sickness, family and medical pay, an issue that has proven to divide even among Democrats over the past two legislative sessions.

Youngkin also said Monday he would open at least 20 new charter schools, and he has targeted several state agencies that have come under scrutiny under the Northam administration: the Department of Motor Vehicles, the State Parole Board, the Virginia Employment Commission.

He vowed to fire the entire parole board – which was met with loud cheers from the crowd – and improve customer service at the DMV, where people struggled to get appointments. , and VEC, which has struggled to handle a flood of requests amid the pandemic.

McAuliffe’s campaign and other Democrats have spent months criticizing Youngkin’s campaign for being light on politics, often referring them to Twitter for their lack of a standard “issues page” on their website.

Youngkin previously rolled out plans on topics such as human trafficking and veterans affairs. But Monday’s offer was the broadest and most detailed examination of the priorities of a possible Youngkin administration.

Voters will soon have the chance to hear Youngkin and McAuliffe discuss their political ideas during the first of two debates scheduled for the race, which will be hosted on September 16 by the Appalachian School of Law.

A debate in July hosted by the Virginia Bar Association, a sort of political tradition that usually gives voters the chance to hear directly from candidates at the start of the campaign season, was canceled this year after Youngkin declined to participate, partly citing concerns about the journalist moderator.

The election is November 2, and early voting begins in less than three weeks. Voters will also choose the next state attorney general and lieutenant governor.