VIRGINIA – New reporting highlights ongoing concerns from prominent Republicans about Sears’ campaign and her candidacy because of her extreme record. 

NBC: Virginia's trailblazing candidates for governor prepare to battle over the economy, abortion and Trump

• Still, some Republicans have criticized Earle-Sears’ campaign, complaining that it lacks discipline and consistency.
• In interviews, Republican operatives in the state and elsewhere have grumbled that the campaign has lacked a central message.
• “I want to see her succeed. She’s just not running a good campaign,” said a GOP operative who has worked in Virginia, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the campaign.

Washington Post: Strategy or slow start? Some in Va. GOP question Earle-Sears campaign.

• “It’s really frustrating,” said Loudoun County GOP chairman Scott Pio. “They could have energized the ticket early on, and here we are. … As far as I can see there’s no three-way unity on the ticket.”

New York Times: Republicans Fight Uphill in Virginia Race That Will Test Anger at Trump

• “A lot of the traditional financial supporters in the business community are not yet convinced that Sears can win, and they’re not going to give her money until they are,” said former Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, the last Republican to hold that post before Ms. Earle-Sears won it. 

###