EXCLUSIVE: GOP Gubernatorial Candidate In Consequential 2025 Race Rolls Out New Ad

Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears’ gubernatorial campaign rolled out a new ad Wednesday morning, the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation has learned.

The release of the ad, titled, “Always,” is the second video the Earle-Sears campaign has put out highlighting the lieutenant governor’s background, including her service in the Marines, working class roots and status as a first-generation American. The Earle-Sears campaign is putting $1 million behind the 30-second video, which spotlights her work with Virginia Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin to lower taxes and improve education.

“I’m no typical politician,” Earle-Sears says in the ad. “I’m a first generation American, joined the Marines, graduated college as a working mom, raised a family, became a grandma, 1st woman elected lieutenant governor.”

Youngkin, who is barred from running for a second consecutive term due to Virginia state law, endorsed Earle-Sears’ candidacy in November. The race between Earle-Sears and her Democratic opponent, former Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger, is one of the most-watched contests of 2025 and is likely to be seen as an early indicator of the two parties’ performances in the 2026 midterms.

A poll commissioned by Virginia FREE, a business advocacy organization, published Thursday found that Earle-Sears is trailing Spanberger just outside the margin of error — 48% to 52%. Another poll also released