Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is calling on Loudoun County Republicans to support her at a school board hearing on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM at Ashburn. Her presence is a deliberate push to seize local media attention and fortify her campaign as Virginia’s gubernatorial election approaches.
Earle-Sears has ramped up her message of “common sense,” emphasizing parental rights, law enforcement, school choice, and limited government. In a radio appearance covered by The Virginia Star, she accused Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger of promoting “radical, out-of-touch policies,” and declared, “I’m within striking distance” of victory.
A recent Coefficient poll shows Spanberger leading 48% to 43%, down from a 17-point margin in May, signaling a closing gap. Poll aggregators like RealClearPolitics place Spanberger ahead by around 6 points on average.
Debate logistics have become a flashpoint: Earle-Sears accepted a CNN debate invitation, but Spanberger declined, stating debates should be locally produced and accessible to Virginians.
The race itself is historic. For the first time in the commonwealth’s history, both major-party nominees are women, with Earle-Sears and Spanberger vying to become Virginia’s—and possibly the nation’s—first Black female governor.
Winsome Earle-Sears (R) is Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, an immigrant from Jamaica and former Marine. Her campaign is centered on conservative principles of parental rights, fiscal restraint, and protecting traditional values. Her fundraising, though trailing Spanberger’s, has improved, and she claims the race is now a toss-up.
Abigail Spanberger (D) is a former CIA officer and U.S. Representative, Spanberger leads in fundraising and polling. She promotes an “Affordable Virginia Plan” to tackle housing, healthcare, and energy costs. Her campaign holds a strong cash advantage and appeals particularly to younger voters.
Details:
WHAT: School Board Hearing in Loudoun
WHEN: Tuesday, 9/9/2025 at 4:30PM – 7PM
WHERE: 21000 Education Court Ashburn, VA 20148
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Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor of The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on X at @christinakb.
Photo “Winsome Earle-Sears” by Winsome Earle-Sears.
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This is a big moment in Virginia politics. The school board hearing appearance clearly shows how much education has become a central issue in the governor’s race. Winsome Earle-Sears is working to energize her base by leaning into themes of parental rights, school choice, and “common sense” government, while also keeping the pressure on Abigail Spanberger.