Businessman Glenn Youngkin was sworn in as the first Republican governor in over a decade in the state of Virginia on Saturday.

The 74th governor of the state took oath in Richmond, and gave his inaugural speech, saying, “No matter who you voted for, I pledge to be your advocate, your voice, your governor. Our politics have become too toxic. Soundbites have replaced solutions — taking precedence over good faith problem-solving.”

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Youngkin’s campaign had revolved around issues such as education and race, and the 55-year-old had earlier expressed his desire to remove “politics from the classroom” and ban “critical race theory.”

The new governor echoed similar views in his inaugural address, saying, “parents should have a say in what is taught in school. To parents I say we respect you, and we will empower you in the education of your children.”

Commenting on what he has in store for education, Youngkin added, “We will remove politics from the classroom and re-focus on essential math, science and reading. And we will teach all of our history the good and the bad.” He further promised to increase the pay for teachers.

The 55-year-old added that he would rely on modern science and “individual freedom” to steer Virginia clear of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. “Despite the continuing challenges posed by COVID-19, I see a path forward, not to some pessimistic new normal, but to a new and better day,” said the new governor, striking a hopeful note on his first day in office.

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On the economy front too, Youngkin struck a positive note, saying that his administration would create 400,000 new jobs and get “all Virginians back to work.” He added that his administration would eliminate the extant grocery tax to bring down the high cost of living, and promised that he would try to suspend the increased tax on gasoline for a year.

The 55-year-old also added that his administration would fully fund law enforcement, a promise that he had made in his campaign.