Winsome Earle-Sears to run for Governor

At 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears posted a video on social media formally announcing her campaign for Virginia governor.

RICHMOND, Va. — Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the first Black woman to hold statewide office in Virginia’s long history, has officially set her sights on the state’s top political office.

The Virginia Department of Elections on Wednesday accepted the necessary documents for Earle-Sears to run for governor next year, WRIC was first to report.

Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears’ statement of organization – paperwork needed to launch a campaign – was accepted by the Virginia Department of Elections on Sept. 4.

Earle-Sears is the first woman of color, and only the second woman, to hold statewide office in the commonwealth. If Earle-Sears prevails next year, she will be the first Black woman to serve as a governor in the country.