Virginia voters will make history this November as two women—Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears—face off for the governor’s seat. The race will decide not only the state’s first female governor, but also the direction of its policies on education, the economy, and veterans’ affairs.
Spanberger’s time in Washington has earned her a reputation for steady work behind the scenes. Reflecting on Spanberger’s time in Washington, Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, Steve Farnsworth, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that “Spanberger has consistently been more of a workhorse than a showhorse in Washington.”
Spanberger’s path has taken her from the CIA to three terms in Congress, representing District 7 of Virginiax. Sears, an immigrant from Jamaica, has served as a state delegate, run a small business, and become a passionate advocate for faith-based governance.
Spanberger rose to national prominence after upsetting Rep. Dave Brat (R-7th), the first time a Democrat won that district since 1968. She has campaigned as a moderate Democrat, positioning herself as a pro-labor, pro-choice moderate with an appeal to suburban families and educators. Her campaign ads focus on bipartisan wins, including federal infrastructure funding and caps on prescription drug prices.
Earle-Sears is a Marine Corps veteran and the first Black Republican elected to the Virginia House of Delegates since 1865. In 2021, she was sworn into office as the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, energizing the conservative base with a platform rooted in parental rights, gun ownership, and economic freedom. Matt Moran, senior political adviser to Governor Glenn Youngkin, describes her as “inquisitive” and notes she “has been underestimated every step of her political career.”
Virginia’s 74th Governor, Glenn Youngkin, says, “She is already a member of the executive branch and an understudy for a fairly popular governor.”
Here’s how Spanberger and Earle-Sears compare on key issues:
| Issue | Abigail Spanberger (D) | Winsome Sears (R) |
| Abortion | Supports codifying Roe v. Wade in state law | Opposes abortion, supports restrictions after 6 weeks |
| Education | Supports increased public school funding, opposes book bans | Favors school vouchers, parental oversight of curriculum |
| Labor & Economy | Pro-union, supports minimum wage increases and worker protections | Favors deregulation, tax incentives for businesses |
| Guns | Supports background checks, red flag laws | Pro-Second Amendment, opposes new restrictions |
Polls
Polling released July 16 by Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs shows Spanberger leading 49% to 37% among registered voters in Virginia between June 19 and July 3.
When asked which issue would most influence their vote in the upcoming election, 28% of voters identified the rising cost of living, followed by 14% for both women’s reproductive rights and immigration.
Looking towards November
Virginia’s 2025 election is more than a local contest. It’s a preview of national political currents heading into the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential cycle. The Democrats hope for a blue wave, hoping to oppose President Donald Trump’s agenda. Republicans, on the other hand, hope to add to the edge they have over the Democrats and prepare for the 2028 Presidential Election.
Yes, Virginia will elect a woman as governor for the first time. But history books will remember far more than that. They’ll remember whether voters chose a moderate pragmatist in Spanberger or a conservative challenger in Sears. They’ll remember which vision of Virginia voters chose, and what that meant for the nation.
Source: L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs & Richmond Times-Dispatch