“I’m pro-life,” Youngkin said at the Republican Governors Association meeting in Phoenix. “I believe in exceptions in the case of rape, incest and when the mother’s life is in jeopardy. I’ve also been very clear that a pain threshold bill was something that I would entertain.”

But he also said he would tackle other issues before abortion, such as lowering taxes, creating a “great curriculum” for public schools, expanding charter schools, “funding law enforcement” and cutting back business regulations.

Any plans for expanding gun rights remain murky, beyond the nod Youngkin gives to protecting unspecified “constitutional rights” on his website. Asked recently to identify Youngkin’s firearms policy goals for the legislative session that begins Jan. 12, his transition office responded with a statement spelling out his priorities – with no mention of firearms.