of lines, appealing to parent frustration exacerbated by the pandemic. >> schools will never be closed again, five days in-person. >> reporter: while dipping his toe in culture wars amplified by conservative media. >> on day one i will ban critical race theory from being in our schools. >> reporter: reality check, critical race theory is not part of virginia's standards of learning, but he knows it's an animating issue for the gop base still loyal to donald trump, but youngkin is wary of alienating independent voters. is this a republican playbook that other gop candidates can use going forward in blue states? >> i really haven't thought about anything beyond virginia. i felt like there was a different way to run a campaign. >> reporter: keeping trump's voters on board, but the man himself at a comfortable distance is the name of the game for youngkin in blue virginia. the former president is expected to participate in a tele-rally here on monday. >> i haven't been involved.