Trump says he ‘would’ endorse Earle-Sears in Virginia governor’s race, but doesn’t make official endorsement

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- President Donald Trump says he “would” endorse Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears in the Virginia gubernatorial election.

Trump made the remarks on Sunday after being asked by a reporter about the Virginia governor’s race.

Larry Sabato, Director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, said the potential endorsement would benefit both Earle-Sears and her opponent, Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger.

“The happiest person about Trump’s endorsement of Winsome Earle-Sears is Winsome Earle-Sears, but the second-happiest person is Abigail Spanberger,” Sabato told 8News.

According to Sabato, a potential Trump endorsement could benefit Earle-Sears by helping her to shore up support within the Republican Party.

“What she has to do is stress this with Republican crowds, and there are so many ways to do it today through streaming and digital advertising and every other way you reach people as individuals rather than as groups,” Sabato explained.

However, Sabato said the endorsement could also help Spanberger, given the fact that Trump is unpopular in Virginia.

“Trump has lost decisively three times in Virginia. Five points, 10 points, six points. Those are not close races, especially in this era,” Sabato said.

In response to President Trump’s comments, a spokesperson for the Spanberger campaign sent 8News the following statement:

"While Winsome Earle-Sears is spending her time defending Trump’s reckless assault on Virginia jobs, price-raising tariffs, and senseless attacks on Medicaid, Abigail Spanberger will continue rolling out plans focused on lowering costs for Virginia families, protecting Virginia’s economy, and strengthening Virginia’s public schools.”

8News has reached out to the Earle-Sears campaign for a statement and is still awaiting a response.