(The Center Square) – Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears hopes to make history as the nation’s first Black woman governor and the first woman to lead the commonwealth as she files to run for governor in 2025.
Earle-Sears, a Republican and Marine veteran, has already made history in the commonwealth as the highest-serving woman to hold statewide office as lieutenant governor.
Earle-Sears’ filing, accepted by the Virginia Department of Elections on Wednesday, marks the first Republican to throw their hat in the ring in next year’s election. In Virginia, governors are prohibited to run for consecutive terms, paving the way for both parties to battle it out in the primaries.
The lieutenant governor’s candidacy is the first among Republicans, with speculation Attorney General Jason Miyares could add his name to the field of candidates. Rep. Abigail Spanberger is currently the only Democrat to declare her run for governor after announcing she wouldn’t be seeking reelection for her U.S. House seat.
Earle-Sears is expected to make a formal announcement Thursday evening at a rally in Virginia Beach.
(This is a developing story.)
