GOP Va. Gov. Youngkin Backs Sears to Succeed Him

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday endorsed fellow Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to succeed him in 2025 when his four-year term expires.

Virginia is the only state in the nation that has a one four-year term limit for its governor. Youngkin, Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares made a surprising Republican election sweep of the executive branch's top offices in the purple state in 2021. That year, Sears, a Marine Corps veteran, became Virginia's first female lieutenant governor, and the first Black woman and Jamaican-born American citizen elected to statewide office.

"Winsome has been an outstanding Lt. Governor, and she will be a great Governor," Youngkin wrote in a post on X. "She has been an outspoken advocate for common-sense conservative principles and policies, a passionate voice for our military and veterans, and a relentless advocate for educational freedom and economic opportunity. She brings the fighting spirit of a Marine to the office every single day."

Sears, a supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, thanked Youngkin in a post on X for his leadership "in making Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family."

"I am deeply grateful for your endorsement as I seek to become the 75th Governor of our great Commonwealth of Virginia," Sears wrote. "We will remain committed to listening to everyday Virginians on how best to serve them, staying true to the principle that leaders are chosen from among the people, not above them. By upholding the American dream, we will ensure our children have a future full of hope and opportunity."

Also Monday, Miyares announced in a post on X that he will seek reelection instead of challenging Sears in a Republican gubernatorial primary.

"As Attorney General, Jason vigorously defends the laws of the Commonwealth, stands with law enforcement every single day while leading our shared fight to end the free flow of opioids and fentanyl into our communities, and has been a constant advocate for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence," Youngkin wrote. "He has never backed down when it comes to standing up for Virginians. He is an exceptional Attorney General."

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who has represented Virginia's 7th Congressional District since 2019, is expected to be the top Democrat contender to face Sears. Prominent state Democrats have endorsed her, including former Gov. Ralph Northam, and Reps. Jennifer Wexton and Don Beyer, according to her website.

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