Virginia Gubernatorial Race Highlights Trump Absence as Earle-Sears Hosts Ramaswamy

Mon Sep 29 2025 22:58:12 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Virginia's Republican gubernatorial candidate, Winsome Earle-Sears, invites former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to rally, spotlighting issues from Trump's job cuts while tensions grow with Democrats over job losses.

In an upcoming gubernatorial rally in Virginia, Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears is set to host Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Trump ally, at a time when President Trump himself remains absent from the campaign trail. Ramaswamy's association with Trump's cost-cutting efforts, which left many Virginians jobless, has fueled Democratic criticism as tensions escalate ahead of the election.

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (AP) — With President Donald Trump noticeably absent from Virginia's race for governor, Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is turning to a prominent Trump ally to help energize supporters.

Democrats may be more excited than Republicans to welcome the special guest.

Earle-Sears will host a rally featuring Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate who is running for Ohio governor. Ramaswamy’s brief tenure as co-leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency has ignited concerns among Democrats in Virginia, as the state braces for job losses due to recent federal cuts.

Democratic candidate for governor, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, has urged Earle-Sears to cancel the event, noting that Ramaswamy's role is tied to thousands of Virginians losing their jobs. Earle-Sears' team, however, is excited about Ramaswamy’s appearance and his status as a notable figure in Republican politics.

This election will be a key test of the political repercussions stemming from Trump's push to drastically reduce the federal workforce. The impact in Virginia, where federal jobs make up a significant portion of employment, is particularly profound. The state is expected to lose around 32,000 jobs this year due to these cuts.

While Earle-Sears has expressed support for Trump, his absence on the campaign trail has raised questions about his confidence in her chances. She has openly welcomed Trump to campaign for her, despite his decision to stay away from Virginia thus far.

Democrats are strategizing to highlight the implications of Ramaswamy's attendance, aiming to connect it to rising job losses in the state. A mobile billboard will circulate during the rally, emphasizing the impact of the Department of Government Efficiency.

Despite the controversy surrounding Ramaswamy and the issues at hand, Earle-Sears's team hopes to rally support and counter the Democratic narratives leading up to the election.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of Earle-Sears's campaign and Ramaswamy’s visit will be closely monitored as key votes approach in the gubernatorial race.