Latest news with #WinsomeEarle-Sears
Toronto Star
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Democrats in Virginia have a hefty fundraising advantage heading into November general election
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democrats in Virginia have built up a hefty fundraising advantage for their effort to reclaim the governor's mansion in a November election that is seen as a bellwether for the party in power in Washington ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA spy turned congresswoman, has a more than 2-to-1 fundraising advantage over her GOP opponent for governor, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who has struggled to draw support from her fellow Republicans. Both were unopposed for their party's nominations and were able to focus on the fall general election without having to overcome a challenge in this week's primaries. The match-up means Virginia is all but certain to elect the state's first female governor.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Virginia primary day: What to know
Virginia primary day: What to know November's winner will make history as the first female governor of Virginia: Abigail Spanberger for the Democrats or Winsome Earle-Sears for the GOP Show Caption Hide Caption Watch Gov. Glenn Youngkin's full Republican National Convention speech Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered an address at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Virginians are heading to the polls in one of this year's banner election fights where President Donald Trump's name isn't on the ballot but his second-term policies are very much top of voters' minds. The most consequential of the June 17 primary races center around who will be the next governor of the Old Dominion, a state that has seen its share of the federal government workforce shrink at the hands of Trump and former DOGE leader Elon Musk. Both of Virginia's expected major party nominees - former Rep. Abigail Spanberger for the Democrats and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for the Republicans - ran unopposed in their respective primaries and are readying for a general election race over the next five months that's expected to showcase a sharp contrast in approaches to working with the Trump White House. Whoever wins will make history as the first female governor of Virginia. More: A critical 2025 election race takes shape: 3 big takeaways from NJ primary Nationwide, politicos will be paying close attention to the results in both Virginia and New Jersey - the two states that hold gubernatorial contests that tap into voters' moods in the immediate odd year after a presidential election and before the midterms. Notably, the party opposite to whomever is currently in the White House has a history of winning the Virginia governor's mansion and the right to serve a single non-consecutive term. In a dozen governor races over the last 50 years, only once has a candidate from the same party as the sitting president won in Virginia - Democrat Terry McAuliffe in November 2013 while President Barack Obama was in his second term. Governor's race set Of the six statewide primary races in Virginia, only two feature more than one candidate on the June 17 ballot. Republicans have long had their nominee for governor in Earle-Sears, the 61-year old first female woman of color to hold statewide office in Virginia. She locked down her spot after the only would-be competitor, former state Sen. Amanda Chase, failed to get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The GOP similarly already knows who its November general election candidates are for lieutenant governor - conservative radio host John Reid - and attorney general, the incumbent Jason Miyares. The Democrats are in the same boat for governor: 45-year-old Spanberger secured her spot back on April 3 after no other candidates emerged by that day's filing deadline. A former CIA officer who served three terms in Congress, Spanberger built a reputation on Capitol Hill as a moderate member of the centrist "Blue Dog" coalition. Her early jump into campaigning beginning in November 2023, and prolific fundraising, may have given Spanberger the advantage needed to discourage any potential challengers from even trying, said Professor David Richards, chair of the political science department at the University of Lynchburg. "It just became apparent that if you were going to challenge her, it was going to be very difficult," Richards said. Earle-Sears has long held the advantage among Republicans as the No. 2 under incumbent GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who because of Virginia's unique law cannot serve consecutive terms. Her only blip of competition came from Chase, who billed herself as "Trump in heels" and challenged Earle-Sears as not MAGA enough for the GOP nomination. Federal workers flashpoint Democrats in Virginia are hoping Trump's decisions next door in Washington, D.C., will help to curry them favor in the state's election − particularly his cuts to the federal workforce. Largely at the direction of Musk, the Trump administration has tried to get rid of tens of thousands of government employees since the outset of his second term. While the moves have been felt across the U.S., Virginia stands out with more than 140,000 federal employees who called the commonwealth home at the close of 2024. "We know that Virginia's economy, the health of our state, is tied intricately on the good work that is happening by so many who are working at the (Department of Veterans Affairs), at IRS, the Library of Congress, all throughout our government," Spanberger told a roomful of voters at an event in March. "As governor, I will stand up not just for the individuals who focus on serving our country in their day-to-day job, but our whole economy." Republicans counter that Trump is a popular brand who will help them win in November. "Democrats are using the same playbook: hoping President Trump will again galvanize their base and distract voters from their state-level failures," Edith Jorge-Tuñón, the president of the Republican State Leadership Committee, wrote in a June 2 Wall Street Journal opinion piece. "But this time Republicans are ready, and we're playing offense." Trump a main character in Democrats' AG race Trump's name has been popping up regularly in Virginia's primary to be the nominee for Democratic attorney general, with the winner entering the general election contest in November against Miyares. The two leading candidates - former state Rep. Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor, the commonwealth's attorney for Henrico County - have made versions of a campaign promise to "stand up to Trump" if elected as Virginia's top legal official. If successful, they'd likely be quick to join other Democratic attorneys general who have spent the last several months filing ongoing lawsuits against Trump and his administration, including a case related to the federal workforce cuts. Trump has railed against other state attorneys general for similar campaigns, calling their scrutiny political persecution. It's an argument that Virginia Republicans plan to push against Democrats into the fall, too. "The law is a shield, not a sword to use against political enemies," Miyares' spokesman, Alex Cofield, told USA TODAY. "If they think that's the role of this office, then it's no small wonder why their policies keep getting rejected by voters. We look forward to the contrast in November."
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Virginia primary election 2025: When do exit polls and results come out?
The polling in Virginia began at 6 am on Tuesday, June 17. In the primary election, people cast their ballots to choose Democratic nominees for the posts of lieutenant governor, attorney general and select House of Delegates. Voting takes place from 6 am to 7 pm on Tuesday, while those standing in line at the closing time will be allowed to vote. Residents can take note of their sample primary ballot for the counties here. Voters are advised to bring their acceptable form of identification to the centers. The Virginia primary election results 2025 will come out after 7 pm ET on Tuesday. The Republican Party, under President Donald Trump, has set its nominees for the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election, slated for November 4. It has picked Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears for governor, talk-radio host John Reid for lieutenant governor and Attorney General Jason S. Miyares seeking re-election. The Democrats have a nominee for the governor's post, former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. The 45-day early voting period in Virginia came to an end on Saturday and saw heavy turnout compared to past primary elections. The polls hold major significance for the Donald Trump administration ahead of the 2026 midterms. The political landscape of Virginia is likely in favour of the Democrats, but still offers major opportunities for the Republicans. During last year's US presidential election, Kamala Harris won the state by six points, even though it shifted right. In November, the state will create history when a woman will hold the office of the governor for the first time. It could be either Abigail Spanberger, who earlier represented Virginia's 7th Congressional District on Capitol Hill, or Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor. ALSO READ: Was Asim Munir invited to attend the US military parade? White House clears the air amid backlash Alex Bastani, Ghazala Hashmi, Babur Lateef, Aaron Rouse, Victor Salgado and Levar Stoney are eying the Democratic nomination for the lieutenant governor post. The State Attorney General Democratic nominee race is between Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor. Voters decide Democratic nominees for the posts of lieutenant governor, attorney general, and House of Delegates. News websites and channels will show the result after the voting ends at 7 pm ET.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Virginia primary election 2025: Time, how to vote, who's on the ballot and more
Voters in Virginia are all set to cast their ballots in the US state's primary election on Tuesday, June 17. This determines party nominees across multiple offices, including governor, lieutenant governor, state attorney general, and the House of Delegates. This is the first time that two women, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger, are pitted against each other for the top office of the state. Both candidates are running unopposed for the parties' nominations for governor. They will not be appearing on the ballot on Tuesday. Voting for the primary election in Virginia is taking place today (June 17). Residents can check for the sample primary ballot for their respective counties here. Virginia and New Jersey are the only US states conducting statewide races, including for the governor's post. Eligible voters will cast their ballots from 6 am to 7 pm on Election Day, while those in line at the closing time will be allowed to vote. People are advised to bring along an acceptable form of identification. In total, six candidates are eying the nomination for the lieutenant governor post from the Democratic Party. These include: 1. Alex Bastani 2. State Senator Ghazala Hashmi 3. Prince William County School Board Chair Babur Lateef 4. State Senator Aaron Rouse 5. Former prosecutor Victor Salgado 6. Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney The winner faces Republican John Reid in the November 2025 election. Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor are contesting in the primary for Virginia Attorney General. The winner takes on Republican Jason Miyares in READ: Trump mixes India-Pak conflict with Iran-Israel hostilities: 'They will make a deal' Register to Vote/Update Registration - October 14, 2025 Early in-person voting - From September 9 to November 1 Apply for a ballot to be mailed to you - Through October 24, 2025 Register to vote or update an existing registration - Till October 14, 2025. Voters will cast their ballots to decide party nominees for the posts of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and House of Delegates. Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger are expected to contest for the post. Polling takes place between 6 am and 7 pm.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Virginia governor candidates vow to end 'car tax'
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia's car tax is widely considered the most-hated tax in the state, and it could be coming to an end soon. Both candidates for the Virginia governor's race have expressed their desire to eliminate the state's car tax. Republican Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears recently announced her 'Axe the Tax' initiative, which would end the state's car tax as well as income taxes on tipped wages. A campaign spokesperson for Democrat Abigail Spanberger said, 'Abigail will work with both Democrats and Republicans to put Virginia on a real path towards eliminating the car tax once and for all.' However, the state estimates an elimination of the state's car tax would cost localities around 2.5 to 3 billion a year, a price some state lawmakers are concerned about. 'You got to wrestle through a way to deal with that. That doesn't leave the localities holding the bag because it's localities who pick up most of the cost. For example, your local police department or your local school divisions,' said Sen. Mark Warner. In a statement sent to 10 On Your side, Sen Tim Kaine said, 'This is a complicated issue that requires delicate balancing, and it's ultimately up to the General Assembly to make changes to the state tax code.' Despite the hefty price, some residents in the Hampton Roads area are still in favor of eliminating the tax. 'I most certainly am in favor of whichever candidate wins to stop, to eliminate, to get rid of the personal property taxes on our cars. There's other avenues, where a city can bring in that extra money so, I would say let's end it and go from there,' said Portsmouth resident Michael Crowell. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
