Several hundred people gathered this afternoon in the parking lot of Iceland's, off of Old Courthouse Road in Appomattox, to attend a campaign stop by Republican candidate for governor Glenn Youngkin ahead of next Tuesday's election.

Youngkin is running against Democrat Terry McAuliffe, who is vying for a second term as governor after serving in the role from 2014-2018.

Youngkin emphasized a crucial concern that is still fresh in the minds of many people who reside in Appomattox County -- the failed Lindenburg Industries deal in 2014 that would have brought around 350 jobs to the former Thomasville Furniture plant that still sits empty within sight of where today's rally was held.

Lindenburg turned out to be a fraudulent company, and the deal that was spearheaded by McAuliffe resulted in zero jobs and a loss of $1.4 million in Virginian taxpayer money out of what was once known as the Governor's Opportunity Fund. Youngkin and others have criticized McAuliffe's former administration for lack of proper vetting of Lindenburg Industries that led to the failed deal.

Youngkin also cited McAuliffe's record of similar results during his term in office, stating that 32 of 79 economic development deals across the Commonwealth of Virginia during his tenure did not produce actual jobs.

"The best jobs program we're gonna have in Virginia this year is to make sure Terry McAuliffe does not have one," Youngkin said to a chorus of cheers from the crowd in attendance.

Other major topics addressed by Youngkin and several guest speakers were high taxes (Youngkin hopes to eliminate the grocery tax), government overreach with the COVID-19 vaccination and mandates, leniency on crime under the McAuilffe and current Gov. Ralph Northam administrations, and implementing school safety measures that would make schools safer.

In addressing school safety issues, Youngkin referred to a recent scandal in the Loudon County School District in which a female student was sexually assaulted in the girls' bathroom by a male student who was wearing a skirt. Youngkin accused the school district of attempting to cover up the assault by claiming there were no records of the incident.

Other notable political figures who spoke at today's rally were Republican lieutenant governor candidate Winsome Sears, Republican attorney general candidate Jason Miyares, and Virginia 59th District House of Delegates Representative Matt Fariss.

Find out more in the upcoming issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.