The race for the Virginia governorship came into full and final focus over the weekend as Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger officially claimed the Republican and Democratic nominations, respectively. That sets up a contest that will see a woman become the state’s chief executive for the first time ever.
The GOP nomination, which appeared in the latter stages of the campaign to possibly be decided in a primary, was handed to Earle-Sears Saturday after former state Sen. Amanda Chase came up short of the mandated 10,000 signatures to get on the June 19 ballot. Chase, who represented Colonial Heights and a portion of Chesterfield County for eight years in the Senate, entered the race almost three months after Earle-Sears declared her candidacy.
Earle-Sears
In a message to The Progress-Index, Chase confirmed without elaboration, “We needed more verified signatures.” She added she would have more to say about the process Monday.
A third potential challenger, former state Del. Dave LaRock, abandoned his bid April 2, which was the deadline to file paperwork for the ballot.
On Saturday, after she was confirmed as the GOP nominee, Earle-Sears said in a statement that “the stakes in this race couldn’t be higher” as Republicans try to keep Virginia in its column.
“We’ve delivered important progress over the past four years, and we still have so much more to do,” Earle-Sears said. “I am honored to serve as the Republican nominee in this race and will deliver a victory for every Virginian this fall.”
Unlike the GOP campaign when a couple of 11th-hour challenges, Democrats were solidly behind Spanberger. Rep. Bobby Scott of Newport News was reportedly mulling a run but never filed.
Spanberger
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“I’m grateful for the support of the many elected officials, local leaders, and community members who have thrown their support behind me to serve as our next governor,” Spanberger said in a statement released the day after the filing deadline. “As we head toward November — and throughout my term, I will work hard to win the trust of all Virginians and build a stronger future for our commonwealth.”
Spanberger served three terms in Congress representing Virginia’s 7th Congressional District that stretches from north-central Virginia to southeastern Prince William County and includes the city of Fredericksburg. She announced last year she would not run for re-election in 2024 to focus on her gubernatorial campaign.
The November election will choose Virginia’s 75th governor, and for the first time in state history, a woman is guaranteed to win. Should that be Earle-Sears, the next governor would be the first Black woman to hold the office.
It will also be the first major test of President Donald Trump’s political muscle since he reassumed the White House in January. Virginia and New Jersey are the only U.S. states holding gubernatorial elections in odd-numbered years.
The latest polls show Trump with higher poll ratings now than during his first term from 2017-21. However, his most recent numbers have fallen below 50% in light of the recent round of tariffs on all U.S. trading partners and widespread cuts in the federal government payroll.
More: Anti-Trump protesters gathered at hundreds of locations nationwide
Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Spanberger and Earle-Sears will vie to become first female governor