Trump stumps for entire Virginia GOP ticket, while yet to formally endorse Earle-Sears
In a high-stakes tele-rally held on Thursday, President Donald Trump and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin rallied support for the Republican ticket as the state gears up for a competitive gubernatorial election. Leading the charge is Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is vying to succeed the term-limited Youngkin. The Republican slate also features Richmond broadcaster John Reid for lieutenant governor and Attorney General Jason Miyares, both of whom are in tight races against their Democratic challengers. Polls have indicated that Miyares holds a slight edge over former Del. Jay Jones, while Reid is neck-and-neck with state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi. However, Earle-Sears finds herself trailing former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, though her campaign asserts that the race is closer than it appears.
During the rally, Youngkin emphasized the importance of supporting the entire Republican ticket, framing Earle-Sears as a candidate who would continue the “commonsense, conservative leadership” that has characterized his administration. Both Youngkin and Trump starkly contrasted their platform with what they described as the “extreme, far-left policies” of previous Democratic governors. This rally echoed a similar event four years ago, which played a crucial role in Youngkin’s victory over Democrat Terry McAuliffe. Despite not officially endorsing Earle-Sears, Trump’s participation in the rally aimed to energize the Republican base, which has historically faced challenges in attracting independent voters in Virginia’s urban areas.
As the election approaches, Republicans are keenly aware of the delicate balance they must strike: energizing their core supporters while appealing to moderate voters who may be wary of Trump’s influence. Earle-Sears has received support from notable out-of-state figures, including Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who spoke at a rally in New Baltimore. This strategic outreach indicates an effort to consolidate support as early voting begins, with concerns raised about voter disenfranchisement due to the timing of the election. Virginia House Minority Whip Michael Webert underscored the urgency of voter participation, warning that the election’s outcome could significantly impact the state’s political landscape for years to come. With a million ballots already cast, the Republican ticket is pushing hard to ensure that their message resonates with voters as the race intensifies.
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President
Donald Trump
and Gov. Glenn Youngkin headlined a Thursday tele-rally for the entire Virginia Republican ticket, as the commander-in-chief has yet to formally endorse Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears’ gubernatorial bid.
Beyond
Earle-Sears
— who is vying to succeed the term-limited Youngkin — the ticket includes Richmond broadcaster John Reid for lieutenant governor, Attorney General Jason
Miyares
and the entire GOP caucus in the House of Delegates who hope to win an uphill battle to gain the three seats needed to take back the majority.
Recent polls showed Miyares with the highest current statistical shot of winning his race, leading scandal-plagued former Del. Jay Jones, D-Norfolk. while Reid is tied or within the margin of error of state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield.
Earle-Sears, however, remains several points behind former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger — though her campaign previously stated they view the race as much closer.
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A source familiar with the event said Youngkin urged Virginians to support the full ticket, emphasizing that Earle-Sears would continue the “commonsense, conservative leadership that has delivered results under Governor Youngkin.”
Youngkin and Trump made a clear contrast between the Republican ticket’s platform and the “extreme, far-left policies” of past governors incredibly clear.
NEW POLL IN KEY SHOWDOWN FOR VIRGINIA GOVERNOR INDICATES SINGLE-DIGIT RACE
Fox News Digital reached out to the Republican National Committee for further comment on Trump’s appearance, while a source familiar with the rally said the event closely mirrored one four years ago that helped propel Youngkin past statistically favored Democrat Terry McAuliffe.
“The president did a tele-rally for [Youngkin] the day before his election and he won by 60,000 votes — that was the difference.”
Youngkin did overperform expectations in both red and blue areas that election.
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Although Youngkin didn’t win any of the Washington, D.C., collar counties — including Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington and the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church — he narrowed Republican deficits there compared to past elections.
That improvement, paired with overwhelming margins in deep-red
southwestern counties
like Lee, Wise, Dickenson and Tazewell, helped secure his victory.
Both Youngkin and Trump expressed hope that Earle-Sears could replicate that formula against the favored Democrat, Spanberger.
TRUMP VOICES SUPPORT FOR GOP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, ADMITS SHE HAS ‘TOUGH RACE’
But Trump has declined to officially endorse Earle-Sears during this cycle.
He did, however, endorse Jack Ciattarelli for governor of similarly blue-leaning New Jersey – though the former assemblyman has been trending better in polls than Earle-Sears.
A source familiar with
Youngkin’s 2021 run
noted that the two men were at arm’s length throughout most of the campaign.
TRUMP YET TO ENDORSE IN VA GOVERNOR’S RACE – BUT ALSO KEPT YOUNGKIN AT ARM’S LENGTH
Republicans often face a delicate balancing act — energizing their base and attracting independents without galvanizing staunchly anti-Trump voters in Virginia’s most densely populated areas.
Earle-Sears has, however, drawn in popular pinch-hitters from out of state in recent days:
On Wednesday,
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier
— a rising star in that state’s Republican circles who helped engineer Alligator Alcatraz and is battling blue states over sanctuary policies — headlined a rally for Sears in New Baltimore.
Uthmeier was joined by Earle-Sears, Miyares — and Dels. Ian Lovejoy, R-Nokesville, and Geary Higgins, R-Lovettsville, who both face tough races as the Democratic diaspora from Washington moves farther west into some of Virginia’s more conservative confines.
Lovejoy said the election will decide one of the “simplest” but most important questions: “Who is in charge of your children?”
Virginia House Minority Whip Michael Webert, R-Warrenton, also spoke — warning voters that not only is Virginia’s governorship up for grabs but also the future of their very federal representation for years to come.
“A million people have already voted and didn’t know we were going to have this,” Webert said.
“This is an
issue for our election
. Is that not disenfranchising voters? All the reason, all of you … need to vote.”
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
