Trump Endorses 50 Republicans, Snubs Earle-Sears in Virginia/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump endorsed over 50 Republican candidates ahead of Tuesday’s elections but left out Virginia’s GOP gubernatorial hopeful, Winsome Earle-Sears. Despite promoting Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey, Earle-Sears received no direct mention. The omission is notable as Earle-Sears faces Democrat Abigail Spanberger in a high-stakes gubernatorial race.
Trump’s GOP Support Strategy Quick Looks
- Trump endorsed 53 Republicans ahead of the November 5 elections.
- Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears was not among them.
- Earle-Sears is running against Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
- Trump criticized Democrat policies but avoided direct support for Earle-Sears.
- He previously endorsed Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey’s governor race.
- Trump’s general push is for Republican control in Virginia and New Jersey.
- Earle-Sears is trailing in some polls by double digits.
- The White House and Earle-Sears campaign have not commented.
Trump’s Republican Endorsements: A Deep Look
President Donald Trump threw his political weight behind more than 50 Republican candidates ahead of critical state-level elections this Tuesday—but notably absent from the list was Virginia gubernatorial candidate and current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
On Sunday night, Trump issued a sweeping set of endorsements via multiple social media posts, signaling support for 53 GOP candidates across various states. His endorsements covered a wide spectrum, from first-time political hopefuls to seasoned incumbents, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. But in Virginia’s high-stakes governor’s race, he did not explicitly endorse Earle-Sears, who is vying to succeed Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Trump’s messaging still urged voters to support Republican candidates broadly in both Virginia and New Jersey. He posted statements discouraging support for Democratic candidates, specifically targeting Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey. Both women are in contentious gubernatorial battles against Republicans—Earle-Sears and Jack Ciattarelli, respectively.
“Why would anyone vote for New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial candidates, Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger, when they want transgender for everybody, men playing in women’s sports, high crime, and the most expensive energy prices almost anywhere in the world?” Trump asked in a social media post.
“VOTE REPUBLICAN for massive energy cost reductions, large-scale tax cuts, and basic common sense!”
Although Trump’s words strongly align with typical conservative talking points, his indirect support for Virginia’s Republican campaign—without naming Earle-Sears—has drawn attention. His decision not to mention her directly adds ambiguity to the Republican unity within the state, particularly given the tight contest and the strategic importance of Virginia for the GOP ahead of 2026’s national races.
Last month, when asked about the gubernatorial race, Trump offered cautious support, saying the Republican candidate “should win” due to what he called failures in Democratic leadership. He didn’t name Earle-Sears then either but took the opportunity to criticize Spanberger. The former president also joined Governor Youngkin last week for a virtual rally supporting the entire Republican ticket in Virginia. Even so, the lack of a direct endorsement for Earle-Sears has left political observers speculating on Trump’s strategy.
This omission could carry consequences for the Earle-Sears campaign, which has already been struggling in recent polling. Some surveys indicate that Democrat Abigail Spanberger is leading Earle-Sears by double-digit margins, pointing to a possible challenge for Republicans in maintaining control of the governor’s mansion in Virginia.
Earle-Sears, a conservative Black Republican and a military veteran, was seen as a potential rising star within the GOP after her 2021 election as Virginia’s lieutenant governor. A direct Trump endorsement might have helped galvanize the party’s base, particularly among voters who remain loyal to the former president. However, Trump has at times clashed with state-level Republicans who do not align fully with his political style or approach.
Political insiders suggest that Trump’s selective endorsements are part of a broader 2026 strategy, where he aims to back candidates who align most closely with his national brand and loyalty metrics. By sidestepping Earle-Sears, the president may be signaling a preference for more hardline allies or simply distancing himself from races where polling is unfavorable.
As of now, neither the White House nor Earle-Sears’ campaign has issued a statement regarding Trump’s silence. With the election just days away, it remains to be seen whether the lack of endorsement will hurt her turnout among conservative voters—or if Trump’s general promotion of Republican candidates will be enough to bolster support across Virginia.
For now, Earle-Sears will likely have to rely on the backing of outgoing Governor Glenn Youngkin and her own campaign efforts to close the gap before election day.
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