Republicans need to win if they want to change anything. And no race is too small.
Now Vivek Ramaswamy took a bellwether state by storm with a surprising endorsement.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s Endorsement Boosts Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia Governor Race
Vivek Ramaswamy, a rising star in the conservative movement and Ohio gubernatorial candidate, will rally in Chesterfield, Virginia, to endorse Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in her bid to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Ramaswamy, a biotech billionaire and key figure in President Donald Trump’s “DOGE” initiative, praised Earle-Sears as a leader who will “lead Virginia to new heights,” emphasizing the role of states in driving a conservative vision for America. “Winning in 2024 was the first step, but soon it’s going to be up to the states to lead the way,” Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital.
“I look forward to leading Ohio soon, and we want a coalition of strong states to join us in reviving a new American Dream.”
His endorsement, backed by his growing national prominence and recent Ohio Republican Party support, adds significant momentum to Earle-Sears’ campaign in a tightly contested race against Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
Earle-Sears, a Marine veteran and the first Black woman to serve as Virginia’s lieutenant governor, expressed deep gratitude for Ramaswamy’s support, highlighting their shared commitment to “hard work, faith, and freedom.”
The rally, held in the bellwether Chesterfield County, will feature the full Republican ticket, including John Reid for lieutenant governor and Attorney General Jason Miyares, signaling a unified push to maintain Virginia’s conservative gains under Youngkin. Ramaswamy’s involvement points to his vision of building a coalition of principled leaders, with Earle-Sears as a cornerstone in Virginia.
Earle-Sears’ Campaign and Ramaswamy’s Influence
Earle-Sears, who has made her inspiring journey from Jamaican immigrant to Virginia’s second-in-command a centerpiece of her campaign, resonates with voters through her message of universal opportunity.
“Here I stand, second-in-command in the former capital of the Confederacy,” she said, emphasizing America’s progress and her appeal to diverse voters. Her campaign, bolstered by endorsements from Youngkin and now Ramaswamy, focuses on continuing Virginia’s economic growth and prioritizing common-sense policies. Despite trailing Spanberger by 7-9 points in recent polls, Ramaswamy’s high-energy endorsement and his ability to galvanize conservative voters could help close the gap, particularly in swing areas like Chesterfield, which Youngkin flipped in 2021.
Ramaswamy’s own political ascent, marked by his early Ohio GOP endorsement and Trump’s backing, positions him as a powerful ally. Polls show him leading Democratic contenders in Ohio’s 2026 race, with a February 2025 BGSU/YouGov poll giving him 61% support among GOP primary voters and an August Emerson College poll showing leads of 7-10 points over potential opponents Amy Acton and Tim Ryan.
His ability to mobilize grassroots support and articulate a bold conservative agenda—evident in his education reform proposals like merit-based teacher pay and school choice—makes his endorsement a game-changer for Earle-Sears. The Chesterfield rally, strategically held in the district of Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Ghazala Hashmi, aims to energize voters in a county that has shifted Democratic but remains winnable for Republicans.
Strategic Context and Election Outlook
The Virginia governor’s race, a key bellwether for the 2026 midterms, tests the GOP’s ability to sustain momentum in a swing state. Earle-Sears faces challenges, including Spanberger’s fundraising edge ($15.2 million to Earle-Sears’ $4.5 million) and a polling lead, with a September 9 Virginia Commonwealth University poll showing Spanberger ahead 49% to 40%.
However, Ramaswamy’s endorsement, coupled with Reid’s ad buy and Miyares’ re-election campaign, strengthens the GOP ticket’s appeal. Earle-Sears’ focus on economic opportunity, parental rights, and public safety aligns with Ramaswamy’s vision of a “new American Dream,” potentially swaying undecided voters (14% per the Roanoke College poll). Her historic candidacy as a potential first Black female governor adds a compelling narrative to counter Spanberger’s centrist messaging.
With Ramaswamy’s star power and strategic rally, Earle-Sears gains a critical boost to challenge Democratic dominance in Virginia’s evolving political landscape.
