Ramaswamy boosts GOP ticket; Earle-Sears, Spanberger court early voters

Ramaswamy, a former GOP presidential candidate who is now running for governor of Ohio, headlined a get-out-the-vote rally at Keystone Acres, a horse farm in southern Chesterfield. The rally, which drew several hundred supporters, featured Earle-Sears, the GOP candidate for governor, and her running mates, John Reid and Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Ramaswamy implored Virginians to vote for Earle-Sears, saying she would restore the rule of law and grow the economy throughout the state.

“We’re not going to make Virginia a sanctuary state,” Ramaswamy said. “We enforce the rule of law, free speech and open debate.”

Ramaswamy said the Nov. 4 election is an opportunity for Virginia to set the tone for future election cycles, particularly 2026.

“If you want Virginia to pave America’s path back to greatness, vote Sears,” he said.

Earlier Friday, Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Reid exchanged cordial greetings when they crossed paths after voting at Henrico County’s western government center.

Spanberger addressed a supportive crowd of about 100 outside the government center before heading off to greet voters at other early voting sites in eastern Henrico and in Fairfax County.

Spanberger encouraged supporters not to believe the polls that show her up double digits. She said she is working to build a broad coalition and said: “I know that we’re going to run hard through Election Day.”

In Chesterfield on Friday night, Earle-Sears tossed several campaign hats into the crowd as she crossed the rally stage.

“This election is not about the next four years,” Earle-Sears said. “This election is about a vision and the future of Virginia for our children.”

Spanberger has criticized Earle-Sears for campaigning with Ramaswamy, who initially was a co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a White House office that has led cuts to the federal workforce and spending under President Donald Trump.

Several protesters posted up across the street from the Chesterfield rally, with one of their signs reading “NO WINSOME, NO DOGE.”

After the rally, Earle-Sears pushed back against the Spanberger campaign’s claims that she does not care about the federal workers in Virginia who lost their jobs under DOGE.

“I have lost a job; I know what that feels like,” Earle-Sears said. “It’s the worst feeling in the world, and so that’s why in Virginia, we’ve created over 250,000 jobs. They’re jobs for the taking.”

During a Friday afternoon appearance at a Fairfax County early voting site with Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, and Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-11th, Spanberger brought up DOGE and what she termed the cuts’ cascading effects on Virginia’s economy.

Spanberger cited “our neighbors, our friends, our fellow Virginians who have lost their jobs in service to our country because of DOGE, and all of the other community members, small business owners, restaurant owners, who have been in that.”

She said “people want a governor who will stand up for Virginians, a governor with plans to make impacts on the biggest challenges we are facing.”

Spanberger and Reid

Earlier Friday, Spanberger cast her vote at Henrico County’s western government center. With a pen in her hand, she filled out a paper ballot and inserted it into the counter.

She told the media that as governor she would aim to defend the state’s federal workforce, lower skyrocketing costs such as housing and unify voters of both parties.

“Along the campaign trail I frequently make the remark that I may be a Democrat, but you don’t have to be to vote for me,” she said.

While Spanberger spoke to a throng of cameras, she got an unexpected visit from Reid, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. Reid came up beside Spanberger, shook her hand, and the two briefly interacted.

“You’re working hard, and I appreciate it,” Reid said.

Dismissing the boos that came from her supporters, Spanberger said, “Hey, listen, John Reid has put his name on the ballot. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but I did not vote for you today.”

Reid echoed the sentiment and called Spanberger his friend.

“We’re too busy for coffee any time soon, my friend,” Spanberger quipped.

Spanberger voted standing alongside Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, and May Nivar, a Democrat challenging Republican Del. David Owen in the hotly contested 57th District, which encompasses western Henrico and eastern Goochland County. Spanberger cast a vote for Nivar, a member of her campaign said.

Reid also cast his vote Friday, voting for Owen, a campaign staffer said.

Reid touted his plan to address the thousands of federal workers who lost their jobs because of DOGE. Reid said he’ll always show compassion to those who lost employment. He said his longtime partner, Alonzo Mable, lost his job with the Department of the Navy as part of the cuts. Reid has said that Mable received a notice in February that his position was likely to be eliminated and he took a buyout.

“I know how to bring jobs to Virginians,” Reid said.

About 100 people came to the government center Friday morning to show their support for Spanberger.

One of them, Suzanne Wren, a Henrico County resident, said she did not come to vote — she can do that another day. She was there simply to back Spanberger and the rest of the Democratic ticket, which includes Hashmi for lieutenant governor and Jay Jones for attorney general.

“I’m thrilled about Virginia’s ticket,” she said. “We gotta keep it blue.”

Wren brought her 2-year-old dog, Sir Tullamore, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, to the event. On his back, Wren affixed a placard with the names of the Democratic candidates.

“This is his first political event,” Wren said of her dog. “He’s a Democrat, through and through.”

Another Spanberger supporter, Suzanne Sword, said it’s important for Democrats to win in Virginia and New Jersey — the two states electing governors in November — to show the country they oppose the presidency of Donald Trump.

“I think the whole country is looking at us,” she said.

At the GOP rally, Missy Rogers, of Chesterfield, said she loves what Earle-Sears has done as lieutenant governor and that she will continue doing great work if she becomes governor.

“She’s trying to support what our democracy is truly about and what our constitution is truly about, and that’s supporting the citizens of this country,” Rogers said. “Keeping our borders safe, our state safe, our women safe and our children safe.”

Rogers also praised the rest of the Republican ticket, saying that Miyares has done a great job and that Reid is a true patriot.

“Their values line up with my values, so that’s why I’m voting for them,” she said.

Elliot Mullins, of Chesterfield, also came to the rally in support of Earle-Sears.

Mullins said he worries a little about the liberal voting contingent in Northern Virginia but still believes that Earle-Sears will win in November.

“If everybody comes out in the rest of state, I think she has a good shot,” he said.