Newly surfaced audio secretly recorded during a meeting between staff for Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid and staff for Gov. Glenn Youngkin provides insight into the accusations fueling the unfolding political drama.
Reid has accused Youngkin’s team of extortion, and in a sworn affidavit, Youngkin’s political advisor said Reid’s claim is false.
The recording, which was first reported by the Virginia Mercury, offers no clear indication of who is correct.
The audio features Youngkin’s PAC director, Matt Moran; former Del. Tim Anderson; and representatives of Reid’s campaign.
The Virginia Mercury reported that Reid’s campaign manager confirmed that he and Reid’s partner were present in the meeting.
The meeting took place on Sunday. It came two days after Youngkin called Reid and asked him to withdraw from the race after a vulnerability check from Republicans found a Tumblr with reposts of naked men that shares the same username as Reid’s Instagram account. Reid denies the account is his.
After the meeting on Sunday, Reid posted on social media that Moran was attempting to extort him by telling him that if he did not drop out of the race, more damaging information would be released. Moran denied Reid’s version of events.
In the snippet of audio posted by Virginia Mercury, there is no clear statement from Moran threatening Reid’s team.
“I know the COO of America Rising, so does John want a contract with America Rising,” Moran can be heard asking Reid’s staff at the beginning of the recording.
America Rising is allegedly the Republican research firm that conducted the opposition research aimed at exposing weaknesses in Reid’s campaign.
Anderson, a lawyer and candidate for the House of Delegates, then responded.
“I mean, I think a catch like we would do with, like Trump did with, you know, a catch and confidentiality agreement would have to be in place,” Anderson said. “The governor would have to make assurances like he has to have something if he’s walking away.”
Moran responded and stated that the governor has not said anything about Reid.
“It is not his style or who he is as a person,” Moran said. “He’s not going to criticize John or question John’s character or morality or integrity or values.”
Anderson then asked for a 100% assurance that if Reid withdraws, the Youngkin team would help quash any opposition research on Reid.
“The worst thing for John is he resigns and still gets fucked,” Anderson said.
“Whoever has it needs to enter into an agreement sealed shut,” Anderson continued. “And the governor has to assure us that that’s going to happen.”
Moran responded, saying that it is a “reasonable request.”
“I think every single one of the parties that is involved would readily agree to that,” Moran said. “That’s my assessment. And I can, without talking to him, reasonably assume that the governor would give his commitment to doing everything in his power.”
Moran followed up with what may be the most revealing part of the exchange, stating that the support from him and Youngkin is motivated by the political viability of other Republican candidates and the negative attention they could face if associated with Reid on the ticket.
“That is coming as, again, in the interest of political viability,” Moran said. “And as someone who knows John, it is in no one’s best interest for any of this to continue. If he stays in the race, it is going to continue. That hurts our candidates up and down the ticket. Him getting out of the race is the only way it stops.”
In a statement after the audio was released, Moran posted on social media that he is happy Reid leaked it to help prove his point.
“BOLD move from Reid Team to leak evidence 100% corroborating my account! I can’t say I understand it, but I love it,” Moran wrote. “Maybe tomorrow they will release the rest of the tape for even more fun!”
He also released a statement from his lawyer, calling for the complete audio to be released.
This will continue to be a developing situation.