Virginia Republicans are sabotaging their 2025 chances by backing unelectable candidates and dodging competitive primaries, leaving Democrats poised to seize power.
At a Glance
- GOP nominee Winsome Earle-Sears trails Abigail Spanberger in early polls
- Republican infighting worsened by sex scandal involving John Reid, Lt. Gov. nominee
- Earle-Sears has alienated both Trump supporters and swing voters
- Virginia GOP’s nomination conventions bypass critical candidate vetting
- Party faces growing pressure to reform its leadership selection process
Self-Inflicted Wounds
Just four years after Glenn Youngkin shocked the nation with a Republican win in Virginia, the state’s GOP is now lurching toward electoral collapse. Their top-ticket candidate, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, openly disavowed Trump, alienating the very base that carried Youngkin to victory. “I could not support him. I just couldn’t,” she declared, splitting the party down the middle as Democrats unite behind Rep. Abigail Spanberger.
Watch a report: How Glenn Youngkin’s Miracle Became a Curse
John Reid Scandal Fuels GOP Chaos
Earle-Sears’ campaign is further imperiled by scandal surrounding her ticket mate John Reid. Accused of sexual misconduct, Reid has refused to drop out, prompting Earle-Sears to coldly distance herself: “It is his race and his decision alone.” That non-response not only exposes a fractured ticket but projects an image of Republican disunity just as Democrats gain ground.
In a moment of irony lost only on her, Earle-Sears said, “A true leader understands when they have become a liability.” Yet polls suggest she may be the biggest liability on the ticket.
No Primary, No Pressure, No Progress
The Virginia GOP’s reliance on conventions rather than open primaries has shielded flawed candidates from meaningful scrutiny. Earle-Sears rose through the process untested, while the Reid debacle highlights how a lack of vetting can sink a campaign. Without internal competition, Republican nominees enter general elections with soft support and skeletons still in the closet.
Democrats Smell Blood
With Republicans self-sabotaging, Democrats are in full sprint. Spanberger has unified her base, drawing support from moderates and independents. Her disciplined, scandal-free campaign stands in sharp contrast to the GOP’s internal drama. Early polls place her ahead of Earle-Sears, a sign that even Virginia’s once-red terrain may be slipping permanently blue.
If the GOP doesn’t overhaul its strategy—embracing open primaries, imposing stricter candidate vetting, and building unity—2025 could mark not just a loss but a long-term realignment in Virginia politics.
