Podcast Summary: Morning Wire
Episode: 'Common Sense Will Win’: Winsome Earle-Sears on Her Tight Virginia Race
Date: November 1, 2025
Host: John Bickley with Georgia Howe
Featured Guest: Winsome Earle-Sears, Virginia Lieutenant Governor and Republican gubernatorial candidate
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode features an in-depth interview with Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears as she faces off against Democrat Abigail Spanberger in a fiercely contested gubernatorial race. The conversation centers on key campaign issues, the role of the media, controversial comments from political opponents, and how Virginia’s election could shape national politics in 2026 and 2028. Earle-Sears strongly positions her campaign as the “common sense” choice amid heightened rhetoric and polarized political climates.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Tight Race and Campaign Confidence
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[02:36] Earle-Sears expresses optimism about her electoral chances, emphasizing “common sense” policies focused on:
- Keeping taxes low
- Ensuring public safety and secure borders
- Opposing Virginia’s potential designation as a sanctuary state
- Maintaining right-to-work laws and resisting union pressures
"We're going to win because we're the ones with the common sense ideas. They're going to keep Virginia moving."
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [02:55] -
She characterizes her opponent, Spanberger, as inconsistent and driven by special interests (particularly unions).
2. Critique of Media Bias and Polling
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[04:23] Earle-Sears voices concern over media partisanship and inaccurate polling:
- Asserts the race has always been close, contrary to media-driven narratives
- Suggests media are using polls “straight from the Democrats” to demoralize voters
- Relates her immigrant perspective on dangers of politicized media
"I'm from a third world country and I've seen what happens when the media decides that they're going to support one political side and against the other. And we don't expect that in our media, not in America, but that's where we are today."
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [04:23]
3. Parental Rights and Cultural Issues
- [05:00] Earle-Sears defends parents’ rights regarding education and student safety:
- Recounts confronting Spanberger on accommodating differing beliefs in school policies
- Claims her policies “will protect independents' children, Democrats' children, and Republicans' children.”
4. Jay Jones Controversy and Political Rhetoric
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[05:38–07:14] A critical segment focuses on remarks by Democrat Attorney General candidate Jay Jones, accused of advocating violence:
- Earle-Sears insists that neither such rhetoric nor the lack of condemnation from Spanberger are acceptable
- She highlights a lack of accountability and claims a double standard in political discourse
"You have a man running for political office who, when he had political office, advocated the murder of his opponent and also advocated the murder of his two children who were 2 and 5 years old at the time. Who is this man? Jay Jones? We cannot have him."
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [05:57]- On Spanberger’s responsibility:
"If she wouldn't give him a job, then why don't you pull your endorsement, Abigail? He advocated murder. Murder."
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [07:14]
5. Accusations of Hypocrisy and the Need for Civility
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[07:50] Responding to comparisons between political parties’ rhetoric, Earle-Sears claims:
- She hasn’t heard similar violent advocacy from Republicans
- Democrats appear intolerant of dissent, despite claiming otherwise
- Reiterates her campaign’s focus on order, safety, and peaceful coexistence
"We want to be safe in Virginia, in America. We just want peace and quiet, and you go do your thing and let me do mine."
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [07:50]
6. Virginia’s Influence and the ‘American Dream’
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[08:50] Earle-Sears reflects on the broader significance of her candidacy:
- Emphasizes her immigrant background and her father’s journey as a testament to American opportunity
- Posits that Virginia is “expanding the tent” for the Republican Party and can set a national example
"Here I am, an immigrant to this great country, and I'm running to be governor of our commonwealth. I mean, it's really unheard of, and I think it's a great thing… America, it's a great country. Does she have her faults? Of course. But I tell you what, it's the best we've got, and we're going to keep building."
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [08:50]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Campaign Approach: “We're going to win because we're the ones with the common sense ideas.”
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [02:55] -
On Media Bias: “The media has used lying polls come straight from the Democrats that at one point said I was down 20 points, and they knew the truth.”
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [04:23] -
On Parental Rights: “Parents, they don't want their girl children being forced to undress in front of nude men.”
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [04:40] -
On Political Rhetoric: “I have not heard a Republican advocate for murder of a political opponent, and I've not heard a Republican advocate for murder of the opponent's children.”
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [07:50] -
On America: “America, it's a great country. Does she have her faults? Of course. But I tell you what, it's the best we've got, and we're going to keep building.”
– Winsome Earle-Sears, [09:20]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:36] – Interview begins; campaign optimism and key policies
- [04:23] – Media bias, polling, and immigrant perspective
- [05:00] – Debate moments & parental rights
- [05:38] – Jay Jones controversy and calls for condemnation
- [07:50] – The tone of politics, accusations of hypocrisy
- [08:50] – Broader significance of the Virginia race, American dream
Conclusion
In this pointed, passionate interview, Winsome Earle-Sears frames her campaign as a fight for “common sense” governance in Virginia, routinely contrasting her positions with those of her opponent and the broader Democratic Party. She levels serious criticism against what she frames as extremist rhetoric and a complicit media, positioning herself as a model of opportunity and civility. The episode provides insight into the heightened stakes of the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial race and its potential national repercussions.