A spokeswoman for Youngkin released a statement from the governor Wednesday morning, via text message, which she said was from a TV interview that had not yet aired: “My full intention on my comments was to categorically state that violence and the kind of violence that was perpetrated against Speaker Pelosi’s husband is not just unacceptable, it’s atrocious. And I didn’t do a great job with that. And so listen, it was a personal note and it was one between me and the speaker, just to reflect those sentiments.”
The letter was first reported by Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Stafford, Va., for GOP congressional candidate Yesli Vega on Oct. 28, Youngkin mentioned the attack earlier that day on Pelosi’s husband, which left Paul Pelosi hospitalized with a fractured skull.
“There’s no room for violence anywhere, but we’re going to send [Pelosi] back to be with him in California,” Youngkin said at the rally.
The comment drew widespread rebukes, but Youngkin has resisted publicly apologizing for it.
Vega lost her challenge to Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) in Tuesday’s election.
This article has been updated with comment from Youngkin.