NBC: “Earle-Sears’ record on social issues complicates bid to follow Youngkin’s path in Virginia governor’s race”
NBC: “Earle-Sears’ record on social issues complicates bid to follow Youngkin’s path in Virginia governor’s race”
A new report from NBC News details how Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears holding more extreme beliefs than Gov. Glenn Youngkin on marriage equality and reproductive rights — as well as her support for unpopular DOGE cuts — have left her out of step with Virginia voters and “could further complicate what had already emerged as an uphill climb for Republicans to keep control of the governorship.”
Sears, while “largely attempt[ing] to frame her candidacy as an extension of the current administration,” has been “staking out positions to Youngkin’s right” on “hot-button social issues” like “same-sex marriage and abortion rights.”
Sears left two “handwritten note[s]” on a bill “protecting marriage equality” and the state’s in-progress constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights, noting she was “morally opposed” to both pieces of legislation.
As NBC notes, Sears also “faced criticism” for supporting DOGE cuts and Trump’s attacks on Virginia’s workforce and economy. Sears “downplayed the federal layoffs at an event in March, saying, ‘The media is making it out to be a huge, huge thing — and I don’t understand why.’”
Read more from NBC News on how Sears’ extreme positions have left her out of step with Virginia voters:
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Most prominently, Earle-Sears has made clear she is not fully aligned with Youngkin on a pair of hot-button social issues: same-sex marriage and abortion rights.
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In addition, Earle-Sears has faced criticism for her approach to the plight of federal workers in Virginia who have been affected by President Donald Trump’s moves to shrink the size of government via the Department of Government Efficiency.
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But Earle-Sears had lower marks, with only 32% viewing her favorably […] And the poll showed Democrat Abigail Spanberger leading Earle-Sears in the governor’s race by 17 points.
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Political operatives in the state from both parties told NBC News these notable departures by Earle-Sears — particularly on social issues — risk turning off large chunks of voters in the political center that she’d need to hold together Youngkin’s winning coalition from four years ago.
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Earle-Sears’ positioning on social issues and DOGE could further complicate what had already emerged as an uphill climb for Republicans to keep control of the governorship.
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Earle-Sears has already faced a torrent of criticism for running an undisciplined campaign. And Spanberger, her opponent, is widely seen as a strong candidate who has won several competitive House races.
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Earle-Sears has so far voiced full-throated support for Trump.
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