Governor Glenn Youngkin on the Senate’s rejection of University and State Board Members

On January 24, 2025, the Virginia Senate, led by Democrats, rejected several of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s appointees to university and state boards. Among those rejected was Kenneth Marcus, a nationally recognized legal expert on combating antisemitism, who had been serving on George Mason University’s Board of Visitors. Governor Youngkin criticized the rejections, stating that the nominees were highly qualified and had been serving with distinction. He expressed concern that the decisions were driven by partisanship and could negatively impact institutions like George Mason University and the Virginia Military Institute.

“For three years, my administration has stood for excellence by appointing outstanding leaders to Virginia’s university and state boards. And yet today, Senate Democrats rejected highly-qualified, nationally-recognized individuals who have already been serving with distinction on a volunteer basis. What reasons did they offer for their actions other than their own extreme partisanship? None. Repeatedly, they could not articulate a single substantive reason to reject them.

“Stunningly, Senate Democrats rejected a George Mason University board member who is one of the nation’s leading legal experts in combatting antisemitism. His leadership at the University is invaluable at a time when there is an ongoing investigation into activities that warranted actions to protect Jewish students on campus and a student has been arrested for plotting a terrorist attack on the Israeli consulate in New York.

“Other rejected board nominees include recognized leaders at the top of their fields in law, psychology, finance, law enforcement and education with significant personal and professional distinction, including service in both Republican and Democrat administrations.

“Senate Democrats have rejected excellence. This isn’t just simply petty politics; their actions hurt Virginia and institutions like George Mason University and Virginia Military Institute.

“Virginians are looking to the House to right this wrong.”

The rejections have sparked a political dispute between the governor and Senate Democrats, with each side accusing the other of partisanship. Governor Youngkin has called on the House of Delegates to address the issue.