{"id":2407110,"date":"2025-02-26T16:28:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T21:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-virginia-delegate-launches-2025-gubernatorial-bid\/"},"modified":"2025-02-26T16:28:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T21:28:57","slug":"former-virginia-delegate-launches-2025-gubernatorial-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-virginia-delegate-launches-2025-gubernatorial-bid\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Virginia delegate launches 2025 gubernatorial bid"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fformer-virginia-delegate-launches-2025-gubernatorial-bid%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2407110&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former Virginia Delegate Dave LaRock has announced his candidacy for the Republican gubernatorial primary, challenging \u2064incumbent Lt. Gov.Winsome Earle-Sears.LaRock, who served\u200c in the House of Delegates\u200c from 2014 to 2024, \u2063positions himself \u200das a \u200cstaunch ally\u200d of former\u200b President Donald Trump and\u200c emphasizes conservative policies, including support for\u2062 parental rights, law enforcement, and tax cuts. His campaign highlights plans to establish a Virginia Department of Government Efficiency and abolish the state&#8217;s annual car tax.<\/p>\n<p>In response to LaRock&#8217;s entry \u200binto the race, Earle-Sears&#8217;s campaign remains\u200b confident, asserting she \u2062will \u2062remain\u2064 the frontrunner. Virginia&#8217;s current governor, Glenn Youngkin, cannot run for re-election due to term limits but has endorsed Earle-Sears. The primary election will take place on June 17, with a \u200bgeneral election\u200d scheduled for November 4. Meanwhile, former Representative \u2063Abigail Spanberger leads the Democratic candidates, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-donald-trump-says-joe-biden-is-not-too-old-to-be-president-will-age-become-a-factor\/\" title=\"Watch: ... says Biden&#039;s age won&#039;t hinder his presidency - Will age matter?\">recent polling indicating<\/a> \u2062a important lead over Earle-Sears.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Former Virginia delegate to challenge Winsome Earle-Sears in GOP gubernatorial primary<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1998738\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Lt. Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/winsome-sears\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Winsome Earle-Sears<\/a> (R-VA) now has some competition to become the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/virginia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Virginia<\/a> Republican gubernatorial nominee, as former Del. Dave LaRock has also filed to run for governor this year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>LaRock, who portrays himself as an ally to President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a> on X, served in the House of Delegates from 2014 through 2024 and came in second in a 2023 state Senate primary. He is the first Republican to challenge Earle-Sears for the nomination, something he does not shy away from on his campaign website.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;While the GOP&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">presumptive nominee offers platitudes<\/a> and backtracks on conservative values, LaRock takes action &ndash; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mayor-eric-adams-launches-billboard-attack-against-florida-over-parental-rights-bill\/\" title=\"Mayor Eric Adams Launches Billboard Attack Against Florida Over ... Bill\">defending parental rights<\/a>, backing law enforcement, and fighting for Virginia&rsquo;s future,&rdquo; reads his campaign website, which was updated Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond presenting himself as an ally to Trump, LaRock has also detailed plans to create Virginia&rsquo;s own version of the Department of Government Efficiency, which Trump and ally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elon-musk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Elon Musk<\/a> campaigned on in the 2024 election. Other issues that LaRock is standing on include looking to cut Virginia&rsquo;s annual car tax and supporting school choice.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">End the car tax in Virginia? Where to begin?<br \/>&#128074;VaDOGE&#128074;<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Dave LaRock For VA Governor (@DaveLaRockForVA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DaveLaRockForVA\/status\/1894577448240472284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>Earle-Sears&rsquo;s campaign, however, is not fazed by LaRock&rsquo;s primary challenge.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Challengers can enter the race, but the outcome will be the same,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/dailyprogress.com\/news\/state-regional\/government-politics\/elections\/article_c94472f8-2bf4-58b2-8692-f05d5033868b.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">a statement from her campaign<\/a> reads. &ldquo;Winsome Sears will be the next Governor of Virginia.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R-VA), left, and former Del. Dave LaRock, right. Both are running in the Republican Party&rsquo;s 2025 gubernatorial primary in Virginia. (AP Photo\/Allen G. Breed, and AP Photo\/Steve Helber)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Virginia governors are unable to serve consecutive terms, meaning Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/glenn-youngkin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Glenn Youngkin<\/a> (R-VA) cannot seek reelection this November. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox5dc.com\/news\/virginias-youngkin-endorses-winsome-earle-sears-governor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">The governor endorsed Sears<\/a> last year, shortly after Attorney General Jason Miyares, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3233480\/virginia-attorney-general-seeking-reelection-in-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">who was speculated by some to succeed Youngkin<\/a>, announced plans to seek another term as attorney general.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3328023\/virginia-republicans-democrats-trump-plans-cut-budget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS DISMISS DEMOCRATS&rsquo; ASSERTION TRUMP&rsquo;S PLANS WILL CUT THEIR BUDGET<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Candidates for Virginia&rsquo;s gubernatorial elections <a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacodeupdates\/title24.2\/section24.2-521\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">require 10,000 signatures to get on the ballot<\/a>, including 400 signatures from each congressional district within the state. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elections.virginia.gov\/casting-a-ballot\/calendars-schedules\/upcoming-elections.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">The primary election<\/a> will be held on June 17, followed by the general election on Nov. 4.<\/p>\n<p>Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger is the leading Democratic candidate. A new poll surveying 690 Virginia residents found that <a href=\"https:\/\/virginiamercury.com\/2025\/02\/25\/spanberger-opens-double-digit-lead-over-earle-sears-in-new-poll\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Spanberger has a 15-point lead<\/a> over Sears with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.66 points.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1998738\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1998738\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former Virginia delegate Dave LaRock will challenge Winsome Earle-Sears in the GOP gubernatorial primary<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2407111,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/SearsLaRock-for-VA.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[50782,51159,5894,5468],"class_list":["post-2407110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-2025-2","tag-gubernatorial-election","tag-politics","tag-virginia"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/SearsLaRock-for-VA.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2407110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2407110"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2407110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2407114,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2407110\/revisions\/2407114"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2407111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2407110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2407110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2407110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}