Spanberger, Earle-Sears to face off in Virginia governor’s race

Andrew Scida, Contributing Writer

Abigail Spanberger secured the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race on April 3, setting up a contest against Republican nominee Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.

Spanberger, a former CIA case officer and congresswoman representing Virginia’s 7th District, is considered a moderate Democrat, according to The Hill.

Mack Blair, a second-year sociology and political science student, stated in an email that Spanberger will be the candidate to protect certain services that have had some pushback because of President Donald Trump’s administration.

“I think if it goes in the case of Spanberger it’s going to be probably protecting things like abortion laws, protecting social services and education which have been rolled back,” Blair said.

Earle-Sears, who currently serves as Virginia’s lieutenant governor, secured the Republican nomination after no other GOP candidates qualified to run, according to Politico. She has been endorsed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is barred by Virginia law from seeking a second consecutive term.

Earle-Sears, who was openly opposed to President Donald Trump’s nomination as the Republican presidential candidate in 2022, has since endorsed him, citing “liberal extremism” on her website.

The 2025 election will make history regardless of the outcome: The winner will become Virginia’s first female governor.

John Aughenbaugh, a political science professor, stated in an email, “For voters who complain that the candidates and their parties do not offer voters a choice, well, that will not be the case in the Spanberger, Earle-Sears contest.”

Halle Crider, a graduate social work student, said, “I do feel like my vote in state elections makes a difference, more so because the Virginia governor’s policies and politics directly impacts my day-to-day.”

The election will take place on Nov. 4. Eligible Virginians can register to vote online at elections.virginia.gov until Oct. 14.