Podiumgate's Salem Strategies LLC Tied to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
Does Youngkin have the same controversial lectern as Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders?
Sarah Sanders isn't the only Republican governor financially connected to Hannah Salem Stone's Salem Strategies LLC.
Since 2021 Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s PAC, Spirit of Virginia, has paid Salem Strategies $685,411, according to the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project.
The only entity receiving more payment than Salem Strategies from Youngkin is the Republican Party of Virginia.
Youngkin’s inaugural committee also paid $100,136 to Salem Strategies, which Stone is the founder, according to her LinkedIn.
Youngkin also uses a similar podium as the one in the middle of Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders' #Podiumgate / #Lecterngate scandal as first reported by Matt Campbell’s Blue Hog Report.
Could Youngkin have paid for a lectern, too?
Stone's cohort, Virginia Beckett, was paid nearly $20,000 through her Beckett Events, LLC by Sanders’ office with a state credit card for a podium/lectern in June. Beckett is not listed as a paid vendor of Youngkin’s PAC.
Both Stone and Beckett are tied to former President Donald Trump's Jan. 6 controversial rally.
Stone travels frequently with Youngkin — even to France in June. Sanders also visited France in June — right after her lectern was bought — for an economic mission for Arkansas.
Stone also invites her husband, Adam, on her travels with Youngkin.
Youngkin's PAC did not donate to Sanders' gubernatorial campaign.
Sanders’ former boss, President Donald Trump, insulted Youngkin last November on his Truth Social account.
Sanders and Youngkin both serve on the Republican Governors Association Executive Committee.
Youngkin may have his eye on the White House although he has repeatedly shot down any speculation he is considering a presidential run in 2024. But he still has time to get in the race. He has also teased a potential senate run.
Who is Youngkin?
Youngkin narrowly defeated Bill and Hillary Clinton's long-time pal Terry McAuliffe, in 2021 when McAuliffe ran for a non-consecutive second term because of Virginia law.
Youngkin is from Richmond. (Hello, Oliver Anthony.) And Youngkin is rich.
Before entering politics he worked at private-equity firm the Carlyle Group for 25 years. In 2021, he had an estimated net worth of $440 million. He contributed $20 million of his own money to his gubernatorial race.
Apparently, Sanders' pal Stone got — and perhaps still gets — a slice of that money for “event consulting and supplies”.
[Sampling of screenshots from VPAP of payments to Salem Strategies.]