Virginia is for lovers — and new members of Trump’s administration.

That’s Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s message in a 30-second ad Tuesday aimed at the bevy of staffers who will move to the Beltway region after President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

“I want to personally invite you to make Virginia your home,” the governor says to the camera. “Virginia is right across the Potomac. We offer a great quality of life, safe communities, award-winning schools where parents matter and lower taxes than D.C. or Maryland. It’s why so many people choose Virginia as the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

Mr. Youngkin, a Republican, swept into office in 2021 by emphasizing parental control over what students learn in school. He was on some people’s shortlist for vice president before Mr. Trump opted for Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.

Mr. Youngkin’s ad emphasizes CNBC ratings that gave Virginia top marks for its education system and business environment. It’s also a direct challenge to the District of Columbia and Maryland, which alongside Virginia make up the DMV region around the capital that’s home to federal workers, contractors and media personnel.

Virginia permits its governors to serve just one, four-year term at a time instead of seeking consecutive terms.

Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears plans to run in 2025 to continue the Youngkin-Sears agenda while Rep. Abigail Spanberger is preparing to run on the Democratic side. The congresswoman declined to seek reelection this year so she could focus on the governor’s race.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.