Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears Enters 2025 Gubernatorial Race

Earle-Sears aims to continue GOP leadership as she becomes the first Republican candidate for governor.

Earle-Sears is the first Black woman to hold statewide office in Virginia and now seeks to be the first Black female governor in U.S. history.
She previously made history by defeating a 10-term Democrat to become the first Black Republican woman elected to Virginia's House of Delegates.
Current Governor Glenn Youngkin cannot run for consecutive terms due to state law.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger is the only other declared gubernatorial candidate so far.
Earle-Sears has a background in the U.S. Marines and has held various public service roles.