RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears announced she's running for governor at a rally in Virginia Beach Thursday evening.
She told supporters, "With your support we can secure the future of Virginia and make sure the values we cherish remain strong for generations to come."
According to Virginia Department of Elections documentation, Earle-Sears filed a statement of organization form with the board on Sept. 4.
According to her official website, Earle-Sears was the first Republican in Virginia since 1865 to be elected to a majority Black House of Delegates district in 2002.
She is also the first female Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the first Black female elected statewide, the first naturalized female elected to statewide office – and the first female Veteran to be elected to statewide office.
She told attendees Thursday evening, "A story like mine — a Jamaican immigrant, a United States Marine, a business owner, a homeless shelter director, the leader of a men's prison ministry, a former delegate, and now your lieutenant governor — that story is only possible in America."
Lisa Reid attended the rally Thursday evening. She told 13News Now, "I love her conservative stance, I love her faith. She’s the whole package. I love her military background. I'm an Army brat myself, so that's good that she understands what it's like from a military family perspective."
Cindy Martson added, "I think she’s fantastic and a conservative, and I would vote for her."
Currently, all three of Virginia’s statewide state government offices — governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general — are currently held by Republicans and will be on the ballot next year. Gov. Glenn Youngkin, like all Virginia governors, is prohibited from seeking a second consecutive term.
Earle-Sears is now the first Republican to announce candidacy for Virginia's 2025 gubernatorial race. Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger announced her campaign in November.