Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, is urging voters to cast a split-ticket ballot this Election Day — a subtle jab at fellow GOP gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears.
According to Fox News, Miyares, who is seeking another term as the commonwealth’s top law enforcement official against Democrat Jay Jones, posted a video Tuesday on X featuring a voter who chose Democrat Abigail Spanberger for governor while backing Miyares for attorney general.
“Dave’s splitting his ticket — you can too,” Miyares wrote alongside the clip.
In the video, Miyares said, “I’m here in beautiful Stafford, I got a chance to meet with voters. I got to meet Dave, who’s here, who’s splitting his ticket.”
The voter, Dave, explained his choice: “Absolutely. Yeah, no, I voted already, early voting. I voted for Spanberger for governor. I voted for you for attorney general. This is not a time, nor that many times in my life, been where I’ve voted straight down the ticket. So here I am.”
Although Miyares and Earle-Sears had campaigned together during the election cycle, his public encouragement to consider Democratic candidates highlights Virginia’s status as a battleground state, where Democrats are eyeing both the governor’s mansion and the attorney general’s office.
The split-ticket appeal comes after President Donald Trump notably omitted Earle-Sears’ name during a Monday night tele-rally for Virginia voters.
“Get out and vote tomorrow for Jason Miyares, it’s so important,” Trump said, adding, “We have Republicans up and down the ballot. We have Republicans up and down.”
Voters across Virginia are heading to the polls to decide several high-profile races, including the gubernatorial contest, attorney general, and the lieutenant governor’s seat. Political analysts note these contests could serve as early indicators for the 2026 midterm elections.
Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor under term-limited GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin, is a Marine Corps veteran and poised to make history as Virginia’s first female governor if elected. Spanberger, her Democratic opponent, is a former member of Congress and ex-CIA operations officer.
Either Spanberger or Earle-Sears would be the first woman to hold Virginia’s top executive post, adding historical stakes to an already tightly contested race.
Miyares’ messaging reflects a strategic calculation: appealing to moderate and independent voters while maintaining his Republican base, even if it means sidestepping party unity in the governor’s race.
