{"id":2477235,"date":"2025-08-21T14:17:01","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T18:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/could-parental-rights-decide-virginias-2025-gubernatorial-race\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T14:19:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T18:19:18","slug":"could-parental-rights-decide-virginias-2025-gubernatorial-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/could-parental-rights-decide-virginias-2025-gubernatorial-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Could Parental Rights Decide Virginia&#8217;s 2025 Gubernatorial Race?"},"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\">16<\/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%2Fcould-parental-rights-decide-virginias-2025-gubernatorial-race%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=2477235&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>The article discusses the political and cultural landscape in Virginia as the state approaches its 2025 gubernatorial election. Four years prior, Republican Glenn Youngkin overcame low initial prospects by aligning with a parental rights movement that opposed Covid restrictions, radical gender policies, and perceived <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/parents-should-oppose-critical-race-theory-to-save-our-kids-from-left-wing-indoctrination-ag-paxton\/\" title=\"... Should Oppose Critical Race Theory to \u2018Save Our Kids\u2019 from Left...Wing Indoctrination: AG Paxton\">left-wing indoctrination<\/a> in schools.This movement energized voters and contributed to Youngkin&#8217;s victory.<\/p>\n<p>In the 2025 race, similar issues have resurfaced, with Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger competing amid controversies in Northern Virginia school districts. Allegations have emerged of schools facilitating abortions without parental consent and continuing contentious transgender policies, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-students-walk-out-in-protest-over-trans-bathroom-policy\/\" title=\"... students protest trans bathroom policy with walkout.\">allowing trans-identifying students<\/a> to use bathrooms and compete in sports aligning with their gender identity. These policies have sparked backlash, leading to suspensions of students questioning them and potential loss of federal funding to several school districts.<\/p>\n<p>Earle-Sears has actively opposed these policies, participating in protests and pledging legislation to protect sex-based rights in schools, echoing Youngkin&#8217;s earlier approach. In contrast, Spanberger has not condemned such policies and has supported measures that expand transgender rights in schools.<\/p>\n<p>While polling currently favors Spanberger and Democrats generally, the renewed parental rights and school-related controversies may provide Republicans a chance to mobilize voters. The article argues that the outcome depends on Earle-Sears and Republicans effectively harnessing voter frustration, as failure could allow the resurgence of left-wing policies that Youngkin&#8217;s administration had curtailed.  <\/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<div>\n<p>At roughly this same point four years ago, the prospects of Republican Glenn Youngkin winning Virginia&rsquo;s 2021 gubernatorial race seemed low. Not only did the former Carlyle executive have to grapple with running against a well-known Democrat (former Gov. Terry McAuliffe) in a blue state, but his campaign also <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2021\/11\/03\/in-virginia-the-consultant-class-fades-as-the-new-culture-wars-dawn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lacked<\/a> any sort of energizing issue to push him over the finish line. <\/p>\n<p>That is, until the parental rights movement came along. <\/p>\n<p>Disenchanted with the unscientific Covid restrictions, left-wing indoctrination, and radical gender policies taking root in their kids&rsquo; schools, parents throughout the commonwealth took to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maryland-school-district-announces-policy-to-push-anti-racist-thinking-in-preschool-redefine-discrimination-and-racism\/\" title=\"Maryland ... District Announces Policy to Push \u2018Anti...Racist Thinking\u2019 In Pre..., Redefine \u2018Discrimination\u2019 and \u2018Racism\u2019\">school board meetings<\/a> to voice their frustrations, sparking a nationwide movement devoted to ensuring transparency and accountability in education. Rather than bowing to the whims of the GOP consultant class, Youngkin and other leading Virginia Republican candidates <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2021\/11\/08\/the-battle-for-virginia-is-far-from-over-and-the-hardest-fightings-still-ahead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">joined<\/a> the culture war alongside the parents &mdash; a decision arguably responsible for their ultimate victories.<\/p>\n<p>Now, four years later, the issues that helped define Virginia&rsquo;s 2021 elections appear to be taking center stage yet again in the state&rsquo;s 2025 contests. <\/p>\n<p>Amid the backdrop of the gubernatorial matchup between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former Democrat Rep. Abigail Spanberger are several scandals plaguing numerous Northern Virginia public school districts.<\/p>\n<p>In Democrat-run Fairfax County, a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >bombshell report published earlier<\/a> this month included <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/08\/13\/youngkin-orders-criminal-probe-into-virginia-schools-alleged-abortion-funding-scandal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">damning allegations<\/a> that staff at Centreville High School arranged and paid for students to get abortions without parental consent. Fairfax County Public Schools has since launched an investigation into the matter, with Youngkin similarly <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/08\/13\/youngkin-orders-criminal-probe-into-virginia-schools-alleged-abortion-funding-scandal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ordering<\/a> Virginia State Police to conduct a criminal probe of the allegations. <\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, in Loudoun County, the school district&rsquo;s &ldquo;transgender&rdquo; bathroom policies &mdash; which were at the <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2021\/11\/02\/yes-its-fair-to-frame-the-loudoun-county-rape-as-a-cautionary-tale\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">forefront<\/a> of the commonwealth&rsquo;s 2021 elections &mdash; are once again generating widespread outrage.<\/p>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/virginia-teens-suspended-questioning-transgender-students-presence-boys-locker-room\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">summarized<\/a> by Fox News, Loudoun County Public School officials suspended two male Stone Bridge High School students &ldquo;after they were recorded on video questioning why a female student who identifies as male was in the boys[&rsquo;] locker room.&rdquo; Five Virginia school districts &mdash; including Fairfax and Loudoun &mdash; are <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2025\/08\/20\/five-virginia-school-districts-are-losing-federal-funding-because-they-wont-stop-trans-social-experiments-on-children\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">expected<\/a> to lose federal funding after refusing to revoke such outrageous policies.<\/p>\n<p>Much like Youngkin at this stage in his 2021 campaign, Earle-Sears&rsquo; candidacy for the governor&rsquo;s mansion has lacked the grassroots excitement needed to win statewide office in a Democrat-leaning state. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolitics.com\/epolls\/2025\/governor\/va\/2025_virginia_governor-8653.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Voter surveys<\/a> have regularly shown Spanberger with sizable leads over Earle-Sears, with <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/campaign\/5459291-virginia-gubernatorial-race-poll-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">polling<\/a> also showing Democrats leading in the races for lieutenant governor and attorney general.<\/p>\n<p>These predictive results shouldn&rsquo;t be considered a complete surprise. It&rsquo;s fairly common for the candidates whose party controls the White House to struggle in off-year elections. Such difficulties are even further compounded by the fact that Virginia is a blue state that boasts a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wvtf.org\/news\/2025-03-10\/how-many-federal-workers-actually-live-in-virginia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">significant number<\/a> of federal workers, whose potential dissatisfaction with the Trump administration&rsquo;s return-to-work policies could become a notable factor in the election.<\/p>\n<p>With the recent spate of leftist-led controversies engulfing Virginia public schools, however, it seems Earle-Sears and Virginia Republicans may have finally found the issue that could help them overcome the odds this November. <\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, Earle-Sears <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loudounnow.com\/news\/earle-sears-protests-lcps-students-suspensions-at-stone-bridge-lawyers-planning-federal-lawsuit\/article_ff128a95-dc2a-4586-97d3-c28bb07cfdd3.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">joined<\/a> parents outside of Stone Bridge High School to protest the district&rsquo;s suspension of the two male students in question. Speaking to attendees, the lieutenant governor said, &ldquo;It is time for the insanity to stop.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is time for everyone to recognize what is settled truth: Girls are girls, and boys are boys,&rdquo; Earle-Sears said. &ldquo;I cannot believe that we are here today having to talk about these things that everybody understands as plain common sense.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&#128680; It&rsquo;s time for the insanity to stop. Girls are girls. Boys are boys. And punishing young men for speaking up about their discomfort is not normal. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EneF7YI3F9\">pic.twitter.com\/EneF7YI3F9<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/winwithwinsome\/status\/1958245407181705268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Earle-Sears is also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailysignal.com\/2025\/08\/20\/winsome-sears-is-protecting-virginia-women-girls-safety-sports-well-being\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">slated<\/a> to deliver remarks at the Arlington County School Board on Thursday in opposition to the locality&rsquo;s &ldquo;transgender&rdquo; policies &mdash; including those allowing trans-identifying men to compete in women&rsquo;s sports. The Republican gubernatorial candidate previously <a href=\"https:\/\/wjla.com\/news\/local\/winsome-earle-sears-abigail-spanberger-virginia-lt-governor-race-politics-local-political-news-differ-transgender-sports-bathroom-policies-school-choice-lgbtq-youth-minors-medical-hormone-nova-doe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pledged<\/a> to sign legislation (if elected) that would mandate girls- and boys-only bathrooms and keep men out of women&rsquo;s sports. <\/p>\n<p>Unlike Earle-Sears, Spanberger has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailysignal.com\/2025\/08\/20\/winsome-sears-is-protecting-virginia-women-girls-safety-sports-well-being\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">refused<\/a> to condemn such radical &ldquo;trans&rdquo; policies. As Jacqueline Annis-Levings previously wrote in these pages, &ldquo;In 2022, [Spanberger] <a href=\"https:\/\/wjla.com\/news\/local\/winsome-earle-sears-abigail-spanberger-virginia-lt-governor-race-politics-local-political-news-differ-transgender-sports-bathroom-policies-school-choice-lgbtq-youth-minors-medical-hormone-nova-doe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">suggested<\/a> Youngkin&rsquo;s model policies, which in part attempted to base bathroom use on sex rather than &lsquo;gender identity,&rsquo; were &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SpanbergerForVA\/status\/1571559724369252352\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shameful<\/a>,&rsquo; and effectively accused him of &lsquo;punch[ing] down&rsquo; at children who just want to &lsquo;be themselves in school.&rsquo;&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As 7News noted, [Spanberger] voted in favor of boys being allowed to play in girls&rsquo; sports in 2023. She also voted&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/clerk.house.gov\/Votes\/2023161\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">against<\/a>&nbsp;the Parents Bill of Rights Act during her tenure in the House,&rdquo; Annis-Levings added. <\/p>\n<p>While these parental rights issues present a golden opportunity to underscore Democrats&rsquo; extremism and generate GOP enthusiasm, it&rsquo;s going to fall upon Earle-Sears and Virginia Republicans to harness voters&rsquo; outrage to come out on top this fall. Should they fail to do so, the left-wing radicalism that defined the state before Youngkin&rsquo;s election will come roaring back with a vengeance, and there will be no Republican statewide officials left to stop it. <\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Four years ago, Youngkin&#8217;s chances in Virginia seemed slim<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2477236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Spanberger-Sears.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[61700,35136,34304,37043,38033],"class_list":["post-2477235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-2025-gubernatorial-race","tag-education-policy","tag-parental-rights","tag-political-debate","tag-virginia-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Spanberger-Sears.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2477235","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\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2477235"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2477235\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2477239,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2477235\/revisions\/2477239"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2477236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2477235"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2477235"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2477235"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}