Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears no longer has a clear primary path to the GOP nomination for Virginia governor this year, with two MAGA-inspired challengers both announcing their candidacy in recent weeks.
But first, both have just a month to clear a significant petition hurdle to get on the ballot — something veteran Old Dominion Republican strategists underscore shouldn't be overlooked. All candidates must file 10,000 signatures, including at least 400 signatures from voters in each of the state’s 11 congressional districts by April 3.
“It’s a tall hill to climb. Can they do it in five weeks is the question,” one longtime Virginia GOP operative told us.
“You cannot do it on grassroots appeal alone,” another Virginia Republican strategist said. “It kind of separates the real from the loud.”
For now, former state Del. Dave LaRock and former state Sen. Amanda Chase say they plan to challenge Earle-Sears in the June 17 primary. Even if one or both of them do make the ballot, Earle-Sears still remains the clear favorite to take on former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic
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