(The Center Square) – Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race is already historic—and the election is still seven months away.
For the first time in commonwealth history, both major-party nominees are women: Democratic former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. One of them will become Virginia’s first female governor, breaking a barrier that has stood since Patrick Henry became the commonwealth’s first governor in 1776.
Only once before did a woman make it to the general election—Democrat Mary Sue Terry, in 1993. She lost to Republican George Allen. Now, the two women have secured their places on the ballot, reflecting two separate political pathways.
Spanberger led Earle-Sears 39%-24%, according to a Roanoke College poll of 690 Virginia residents conducted between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20, 2025.
Spanberger, a former CIA officer who served as the U.S. representative for Virginia’s 7th congressional district from 2019 to 2025, submitted more than 40,000 signatures to qualify, four times the required number. Her campaign said more than 1,300 volunteers helped gather them.
Earle-Sears made history once already by becoming the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia, submitting nearly 19,000 signatures on the first day of eligibility. She became the only Republican to qualify for the ballot after Del. Dave LaRock and Amanda Chase fell short of qualification.
Spanberger is centering her campaign on improving education, protecting jobs and lowering costs for Virginia families, casting herself as a moderate problem solver focused on local issues. She reported pulling in more than $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, giving her a clear fundraising lead.
Earle-Sears has leaned more into her record as lieutenant governor and her stance on parental rights, school choice and government accountability. Her campaign told the Virginia Scope she raised over $3.1 million during the first quarter despite restrictions on fundraising during the legislative session.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has worked closely with Earle-Sears during his term and congratulated her on becoming the GOP nominee. In a statement, Youngkin called her “the American Dream” and said she was prepared “to take the governor’s mansion this fall and keep Virginia winning.”
LaRock said Youngkin’s early backing of Earle-Sears made it harder for others to compete.
“The current Governor jumping in early to designate his successor did not make it easy for us to give the Republican voters a real choice in the primary,” LaRock said on social media after suspending his campaign.
The primary elections will begin June 17, 2025, with the general election set for Nov. 4, 2025.
