Republicans in Virginia are sounding the alarm about Lt. Col. Winsome Earl Sears’ campaign in the closely watched governor’s race.
Recently, her campaign manager, Will Archer, was let go, but reports indicate he will still play a role in the campaign. Meanwhile, polls show Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger taking the lead.
This has prompted some Republicans to suggest that more changes are needed if they hope to overcome what some view as a significant hurdle this election cycle.
“It’s a disaster from my perspective and for those we’re discussing,” remarked a Virginia Republican operatives who wished to remain unnamed.
Conservative talk radio host John Fredericks has been particularly vocal about his concerns regarding the state of the race, specifically highlighting Sears’ campaign efforts.
“This is like a circus she’s running,” Fredericks, who led Trump’s campaigns in Virginia in 2016 and 2020, described the situation as a “terrifying operation.”
He further noted, “And that’s frustrating a lot of people in Virginia.”
Virginia Republican Speaker Mark Peak pushed back against Fredericks’ “circus” remarks when they spoke in an interview last week.
“I think we’re addressing the issues as we speak,” Peak said. “Lt. Colonel Sears had a clear strategy at the start, and they were performing well.”
“What we’re seeing now is a shift in the campaign’s strategy. Expect more transparency, more accessibility, and more media engagement,” he added.
A recent poll from Virginia Federal University indicated that Spanberger holds a significant 49% to 37% lead over Earl Sears among registered voters in the state. The poll results also demonstrated a similar trend in downticket races.
Spanberger reported an impressive second-quarter fundraising haul of $10.7 million. On the other hand, while Sears’ campaign announced their best fundraising day since launching last September, they didn’t specify the amounts raised.
“I want to thank the liberal media for attacking Winsome all week, which turned out to be our most successful fundraising period,” he stated.
“The media might believe this is a leftist coronation, but Virginia voters clearly think otherwise; if this keeps up, they might start sending flowers,” he remarked.
Campaign finance data from the Virginia Public Access Project reveals that Spanberger has raised $27 million since entering the race in November 2023 and has over $15 million on hand. Earle-Sears, in contrast, has garnered more than $11 million since her campaign began, leaving her with about $4 million in available funds.
Besides disparities in fundraising and polling, Republicans are also anxious about the implications of Archer’s departure from the campaign, especially given his previous experience as a pastor.
One GOP strategist expressed that this change indicates “a lack of experience impacting Winsome’s campaign.”
“It’s unfortunate,” the strategist added. “Winning in a wave year is one thing, but in competitive races, things get trickier. It seems like they’re lacking direction without a highly skilled consultant.”
“The campaign doesn’t seem to have the momentum needed right now. It’s as if the race is deemed safer than what is actually necessary to navigate through the election.”
There are also worries that Earl Sears’ struggles could negatively affect other Republicans down the ballot. This comes as Gazala Hashmi polls at 36%, while former state candidate Jay Jones leads current Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares at 47%.
Voters in Virginia have a history of splitting their tickets; in 2005, for instance, Tim Kane (D) secured the governorship while Republican Bill Boring won the lieutenant governor position.
Miyares is viewed by many within the Republican Party as a critical asset on their ticket. With nearly $7 million in cash on hand, he has out-fundraised Earle-Sears.
“If Winsome doesn’t start raising substantial funds quickly, there’s a sense they might have to shift focus to bolster the Miyares campaign because his position as Attorney General is powerful,” said veteran Virginia political analyst Bob Holworth.
“Right now, Sears isn’t defining her campaign; the most prominent Republican effort is against Jay Jones,” he concluded.
Term-limited Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is seen as a beacon of hope for the Republican Party. As his tenure approaches its end, governors typically maintain a favorable public image. Notably, both Earl Sears and Miyares benefited from Youngkin’s successful campaign in 2021.
“The only way to ensure Winsome’s campaign isn’t derailed,” Fredericks suggested, “is for others to step up.”
“Otherwise, it’s likely that she and the entire ticket will falter,” he added.
When the governor and his political team “take over this,” Youngkin emphasized, “We need to act as a cohesive unit.”
“I’m personally invested in their success,” he noted. “I’m going to support every candidate. It’s crucial we all recognize where we stand today.”
Youngkin also mentioned how he faced significant polling deficits between 6 and 11 points during the 2021 race against former governor Terry McAuliffe.
Fredericks shared that he believes it will take Earl Sears and her team around two weeks to assess their situation and adjust.
“She’s countering a tepid campaign, so she’s got to play strategically,” he explained. “You want to build a lead early, especially as you approach the final lap.”
