The 2024 Presidential election may be at the top of most people’s minds, but Virginia politicos are already looking toward 2025 and what promises to be one of the most active – and most female – Governor’s elections in state history.
Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, made history becoming the first woman to serve as Virginia Lt. Governor. Now, she hopes to become the first Black woman to serve as governor in the entire country. Polls show Sears with a 31-point advantage against possible challengers in the Republican Primary.
A Jamaican immigrant and Marine, Earle-Sears launched her campaign September 5th at a rally in Virginia Beach.
“The future, a new chapter, is about to begin,” Earle-Sears said in her announcement. “Together, we have the power to ensure that our brightest days are ahead of us still. Earle-Sears’ announcement focused on a positive conservative vision for Virginia as she told stories about her family’s migration and the opportunity for success that America offers.
The only Democrat to announce thus far is US Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is leaving the House to focus on her run for Governor.
Early polling shows Earle-Sears and Spanberger tied each with 39% of the vote. A full 22% of respondents said they were undecided, did not plan to vote or would back another candidate. Spanberger leads by a single point in a possible match-up with Attorney General Jason Miyares, should he challenge Earl-Sears for the Republican nomination.
Miyares has said he will not make decisions about 2025 until after the 2024 election.
The very real situation exists that both Democrat and Republican nominees for Governor might be female is a landmark moment for Virginia, which has only elected two women to state-wide office in Commonwealth history.