Virginians are bracing for another onslaught of national politicians and pundits hell-bent to prove during the commonwealth’s upcoming off-year gubernatorial election that Donald Trump’s win in November was either a mandate or a fluke. And for once, there appeared to be a clear, primary-free, path for Republicans in the state to rally early around a single gubernatorial candidate.
But not so fast!
As February blustered toward her conclusion, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears’ position as the Republican’s de facto nominee to face former Democrat U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger was challenged by two former members of the General Assembly.
Former Republican Del. Dave LaRock announced that he was running to stop Virginia from becoming “California East,” accusing the lieutenant governor of failing to “deliver bold conservative leadership.”
Less than a week later,…
