RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears' campaign announced Saturday that she has secured the Republican nomination for Virginia's 2025 gubernatorial election. As her Democratic competitor is former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, this means the Commonwealth is very likely to have its first-ever female governor. In an April 5 press release, Earle-Sears' campaign celebrated her historic nomination, as she is the first Black woman to be selected as the Republican nominee for Virginia governor. Earle-Sears' top competition for the nomination included Dave LaRock and former senator Amanda Chase. PREVIOUS: Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears formally announces campaign for Virginia Governor "I will never stop fighting to make life more affordable, our schools stronger and our communities safer," Earle-Sears said in the release. "We’ve delivered important progress over the past four years, and we still have so much more to do. I am honored to serve as the Republican nominee in this race and will deliver a victory for every Virginian this fall." The Democratic Party of Virginia announced Spanberger as its nominee on Thursday. If either Spanberger or Earle-Sears wins the governor's seat, they will be the first woman to lead the state. ...read more read less