VIRGINIA – Last week, Dave LaRock and Amanda Chase entered the GOP primary for governor, derailing Winsome Earle-Sears’ once “straightforward” path to the nomination and fueling chaos, infighting, and a campaign crisis.
Over the weekend, Chase made her bid for Governor official with the State Board of Elections while LaRock continued his attacks on Sears.
What Virginians Are Reading:
Virginia Mercury: Earle-Sears’ uncontested run ends as rivals enter Virginia GOP primary for governor
- Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears began the week as the clear Republican gubernatorial frontrunner, but in just days, her once-uncontested path to the nomination has turned into a primary fight.
Cardinal News Op-Ed: Earle-Sears draws two challengers for Republican nomination: Chase and LaRock
- “What for awhile seemed a straightforward governor’s race got a lot more complicated Wednesday when not one but two new candidates for the Republican nomination surfaced."
- “Both LaRock and Chase rapped Earle-Sears for being insufficiently supportive of President Trump, which seems to be their main reason for running.”
8 News: Is Lieutenant Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears still the GOP favorite after governor’s race shakeup?
- For months it seemed to be Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.
- However, with two new candidates making a late entry into the race, it seems that the result could now be up in the air.
- “It’s kind of wild last-minute stuff,” said Randolph-Macon Political Science Professor Rich Meagher.
The Dogwood: Far-right GOP candidate for Virginia Gov. not pro-Trump enough, draws far-right challengers
- The presumptive Republican nominee for governor this fall, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, faces a brewing primary battle as she fades in the polls.
- Both candidates appear to be trying to tap into dissatisfaction with Earle-Sears’ candidacy [...]
Washington Post: Amanda Chase, self-described ‘Trump in heels,’ files for Virginia governor
- Former state senator Amanda F. Chase, a MAGA provocateur who bills herself as “Trump in heels,” entered the GOP primary for Virginia governor Thursday, one day after another ex-legislator jumped in, further scrambling Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears’s prospects for winning the nod.
Washington Examiner: Former Virginia delegate to challenge Winsome Earle-Sears in GOP gubernatorial primary
- Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R-VA) now has some competition to become the Virginia Republican gubernatorial nominee, as former Del. Dave LaRock has also filed to run for governor this year.
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