Trump’s Omission of Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Sparks Speculation

By Charlie McCarthy | Monday, 03 November 2025 03:23 PM EST

President Donald Trump’s formal endorsements on Monday afternoon excluded Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, with Election Day just hours away. Trump has yet to formally back the sitting lieutenant governor despite her participation in a Virginia tele-rally Monday evening, according to The Hill.

Earlier this year, Trump endorsed Republicans like New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares following scandals involving their Democratic opponents. On Truth Social, Trump criticized Democratic candidates Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger, accusing them of promoting “transgender for everybody, men playing in women’s sports, High Crime, and the most expensive Energy prices.”

Trump previously offered lukewarm support for Earle-Sears, telling reporters last month that the “Republican candidate is very good, and she should win because the Democrat candidate is a disaster,” as reported by The Hill. Politico noted that while Trump endorsed over 50 Republicans Sunday night, Earle-Sears was not among them.

The omission is unusual in a race where Trump’s backing typically boosts GOP candidates. During a Virginia event last month, Trump praised other Virginia Republicans with Navy ties but did not mention Earle-Sears, per CNN. Analysts speculate his hesitation may reflect strategic calculations, as recent polling shows Earle-Sears trailing Spanberger by double digits and Trump’s approval in Virginia at 45% to 54% disapproval.

A new Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey revealed Spanberger leads Earle-Sears 56% to 44% ahead of the final weekend. The government shutdown, now in its second month, disproportionately affects Virginia, home to hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors.

Trump’s team has cited Spanberger’s consistent lead as a reason for his limited involvement, despite his efforts to boost Republican turnout through tele-rallies and plans for a final Oval Office pep rally Monday night.