Winsome Earle-Sears is making major waves in Virginia politics again, and this time, she’s aiming for the governor’s mansion.
The lieutenant governor, who won her seat in 2021 alongside Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares, is now setting her sights on the 2025 gubernatorial race. With her no-nonsense, unapologetic conservative approach, she’s rapidly become a darling of the Republican base—and her latest move is sure to cement that status even further.
NEWS
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears has filed paperwork to run for Virginia governor in 2025.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) September 5, 2024
On September 4, Earle-Sears filed her official paperwork to launch her campaign for Virginia governor, and while no formal announcement has been made yet, the wheels are clearly in motion. Her decision comes as no surprise to political insiders; she had already hinted that she was considering a run.
And with Virginia’s Constitution barring current Governor Youngkin from seeking consecutive terms, the field is wide open for new Republican contenders. Earle-Sears is the first GOP candidate to formally enter the race.
Join me today at Chick's Oyster Bar in Virginia Beach at 5pm!https://t.co/NCeadossbm pic.twitter.com/25kMGkDk1M
— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) September 5, 2024
For those unfamiliar with her, Winsome Earle-Sears’ story is the kind that embodies the American dream. Born in Jamaica, she moved to the U.S. as a child and later served in the Marine Corps before diving into politics. In 2002, she became the first Black Republican woman elected to Virginia’s House of Delegates, representing Norfolk.
Fast forward to 2021, and she was back in the political spotlight, this time as lieutenant governor—again making history as the first woman of color to hold that office in Virginia. Earle-Sears presides over the state Senate, where she’s known for her sharp wit and staunch defense of conservative values.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAA *breathes* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA *breathes again* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS! Let's do this! #VoteRed #KeepVARed https://t.co/QYEZE6oZpw
— The🐰FOO (@PolitiBunny) September 5, 2024
If she locks down the Republican nomination, she’s likely to face Democratic Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger in what promises to be a high-stakes race in November 2025. Spanberger is no lightweight in Virginia politics, so it could be a fierce matchup.
While Earle-Sears hasn’t officially declared her run in public, she’s hosting a special event at a Virginia Beach oyster bar—maybe the perfect stage to get the ball rolling with her base. Virginia conservatives have been singing her praises, and early reactions suggest she’s off to a solid start in the bid for the state’s highest office.