{"text":[[{"start":8.78,"text":"Glenn Youngkin has launched a multimillion-dollar education campaign across presidential battleground states, intensifying speculation that the former Virginia governor is preparing for a White House run in 2028."}],[{"start":22.06,"text":"Youngkin, the former co-CEO of private equity group Carlyle, is urging Democratic governors in swing states including Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Pennsylvania to sign up for a federal tax credit that would fund certain scholarships, including for private school students."}],[{"start":39.2,"text":"The Republican told the FT in a phone interview this week that the 2026 midterm elections for control of Congress will be “a real battle across the country”."}],[{"start":48.16,"text":"“The battle is going to be around the philosophical future of America — and I think this is going to be a battle that Republican candidates are going to win,” said Youngkin."}],[{"start":58.26,"text":"Youngkin’s initiative — called Empowering America’s Parents — is backed by billionaire mega-donor Thomas Peterffy. Asked if he wanted Youngkin to run for president, Peterffy told the FT in a brief email: “Yes, that would be great.”"}],[{"start":71.92,"text":"Youngkin responded that his supporters should not expect him on the debate stage. “It’s humbling when people say that, but I am focused on this issue,” he said."}],[{"start":80.2,"text":"“This has nothing to do with 2028 and everything to do with educating American citizens that these scholarships, which are an extraordinary opportunity for their kids, are available,” Youngkin added."}],[{"start":93.14,"text":"The first ad from Empowering America’s Parents features photos of Democratic governors Gavin Newsom of California and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, who are viewed as possible Democratic presidential candidates in 2028, as well as Tony Evers of Wisconsin."}],[{"start":108.6,"text":"The video criticises them for not opting into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit programme, which was created in the Republicans’ so-called One Big Beautiful Act. The offices of Newsom, Evers and Whitmer did not respond to requests for comment."}],[{"start":122.8,"text":"The tax provision has been approved by 30 out of 50 states, according to Youngkin. It allows US residents to knock off up to $1,700 from their federal tax bill if they donate to state-approved, non-profit organisations that can use the contributions to fund scholarships for eligible private and public school students, according to the Treasury department."}],[{"start":144.04,"text":"“Democrat governors have stood in the way of these scholarships for their citizens and their families,” Youngkin claimed. “The only reason why these far-left governors are opposing this is because the teachers’ unions won’t let them do it — and the teachers’ unions should support this.”"}],[{"start":158.68,"text":"Teachers unions including the American Federation of Teachers have urged Democratic governors to reject the programme, calling it a “Trojan horse” that would divert funds from public schools towards private institutions."}],[{"start":170.08,"text":"AFT president Randi Weingarten claimed Youngkin’s education agenda was “rejected” by Virginia voters in 2025 when Democrat Abigail Spanberger beat Republican lieutenant-governor Winsome Earle-Sears in the state’s gubernatorial race."}],[{"start":184.56,"text":"“We need to strengthen, not abandon, America’s public schools — and no amount of smearing of teachers’ unions will deter us from helping all children thrive,” Weingarten told the FT. “Choice is not the issue — it’s the negative impact of these vouchers on the public schools that 90 per cent of kids attend.”"}],[{"start":202.2,"text":"Mega-donors such as Peterffy are holding out hope that Youngkin runs for president, despite the fact that President Donald Trump has floated a ticket featuring vice-president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio."}],[{"start":214.48,"text":"Youngkin spoke at GOP events in Iowa and South Carolina last year, which typically vote early in the presidential primary calendar. He will travel to Wisconsin next week to campaign with GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany."}],[{"start":227.96,"text":"Donald Trump’s approval rating — which has sunk to 39 per cent, according to RealClearPolitics — is expected to weigh on Republicans’ effort to maintain control of the US House and Senate in November. The party in power typically suffers in midterm elections."}],[{"start":242.36,"text":"Youngkin won the 2021 race for governor in a swing state on a platform to elevate “parents’ rights” in education, critique how schools teach race-related issues, increase teacher pay and end mask mandates in public schools during the Covid pandemic."}],[{"start":258.24,"text":"He failed to deliver on his pledge to create 20 more charter schools amid opposition from Democrats and local school boards."}],[{"start":265.44,"text":"In 2023, billionaires Jeff Yass and Peterffy donated a combined $5mn to Youngkin’s public action committee, spurring rumours that the governor was considering a campaign for president in 2024."}],[{"start":279.08,"text":"The governor, who was ineligible to run for re-election in Virginia due to the state’s term limits, ultimately decided against a White House campaign."}],[{"start":287.84,"text":"Youngkin earlier this year joined venture capital firm Red Cell Partners. He told the FT that he’s back “in the investment world” and “particularly in start-up financing for critical areas in our economy, like national security and healthcare.”"}],[{"start":306.4,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1786083533_4406.mp3"}