Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears Shifts Focus to Anti-Trans Rhetoric in 2025 Campaign
Winsome Earle-Sears, Virginia’s Republican lieutenant governor, has centered her 2025 gubernatorial campaign around anti-transgender rhetoric, marking a significant shift in her political strategy. This move has sparked allegations of political opportunism, as Earle-Sears previously avoided LGBTQ issues.
Since taking office in 2022, Earle-Sears has been preparing for her gubernatorial run, which she officially launched last year. A focal point of her campaign has been her criticism of her Democratic opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, for her support of legislation that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
In a Facebook post, Earle-Sears stated, “Congresswoman Spanberger voted for a bill that ‘prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and GENDER IDENTITY in areas including public accommodations and facilities’. This is not leadership—it’s dangerous. Virginians deserve a governor who will stand up for common sense and protect our families.”
In January, Earle-Sears also advocated for state legislation aimed at banning transgender students from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity. The following month, she praised an executive order from President Donald Trump, which sought to implement a similar ban, and criticized the state organization responsible for school sports for not adhering to the order.
On X, Earle-Sears declared, “Girls’ sports are for girls. Period. The Virginia High School League is refusing to follow federal law and President Trump’s executive order, putting our state at legal risk and young women in danger. Every female athlete deserves a level playing field — this is non-negotiable.”
Earle-Sears has a history in Virginia politics, having served in the Virginia House of Delegates between 2002 and 2004 and as a member of the Virginia Board of Education from 2011 to 2015. During her time on the Board, she was involved in shaping policies for the state’s public schools.
In 2014, while she was vice president of the Board, Gloucester High School became a controversial site when there was parental backlash against allowing a transgender student to use the restroom corresponding with their gender identity. The Gloucester school board decided to prohibit the student from using their chosen bathroom, whereas the Virginia Board of Education chose not to intervene or set guidelines on the matter.
The timing of Earle-Sears’ focus on transgender issues coincides with its emergence as a divisive topic in Republican politics. In 2021, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin succeeded in his campaign by emphasizing parental control over public schools, particularly concerning LGBTQ issues, a strategy credited with his electoral success.
However, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll, 50% of respondents believe Democrats manage transgender-related issues better than Republicans, with only 33% siding with the latter.
The Earle-Sears campaign has yet to respond to requests for comment on these developments.
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