As 2025 Nears, Republicans Look For Lt. Governor Candidate To Emerge
Charlottesville, VA-
With the recent announcements that Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears will seek the office of Governor and incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares will vie for reelection in 2025, that begs the question of who will be the final piece of the Virginia Republican trifecta. As with most prior elections for Lt. Governor, the field is often large and wide open. In 2021, Earle-Sears reemerged from private life to win the nomination over several well known and qualified contenders. From there she won the general election against then Democrat Delegate Hala Ayala and became the first black woman elected state-wide in Virginia’s history. She is now seeking to become the nation’s first black woman Governor while partnering with Virginia’s first statewide elected Hispanic elected official, Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Pat Herrity
Board of Supervisors
Fairfax County
The lone ranger of Fairfax County, has the distinction of being the only Republican elected in Virginia’s largest locality. As the Supervisor of the Springfield district, First elected in 2007, Herrity won his 2023 election with 22, 377 votes 53.73% of the vote, raising just short of an astonishing $1.2 million. Herrity has been a fixture in NoVa politics for decades tracing back to his father’s service on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors. His involvement in influential organizations like the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and Northern Virginia Technology Council will prove to be a powerful asset in raising money and assembling a team of heavy hitters in the D.C. suburbs.
The Virginia Tech alum has found the recipe for success in a blue district by working the local neighborhood community event scene, being an advocate for smarter, more efficient government and being a voice of reason for the business community. This past weekend Herrity raised conservative activist’s eyebrows as he worked the crowd at the annual Donald Huffman Republican Party of Virginia Advance held at the Kimpton Hotel in Charlottesville. Could it be that Herrity solves the GOP’s past NoVa woes?
A.C. Cordoza
House of Delegates
Hampton
Virginia’s only black Republican member of the Virginia House or Senate, Cordoza is a fan favorite amongst Virginia Republicans. That was evident as he greeted attendees of the annual Advance in his signature stylish headwear and fresh pressed suit. A former Obama organizer turned Republican over 2nd Amendment Rights, Cordoza is often seen across the Commonwealth supporting Governor Youngkin’s agenda. He is charismatic, friendly and eager to support the Republican cause. This was highlighted in his role as a guest speaker in support of President Donald J. Trump’s campaign rally in Richmond days before Super Tuesday. Corodoza gave a fiery speech to an audience of several thousand inside the Richmond Convention Center laying out why black Americans should support Trump for another term.
Coroza’s home district comprises the cities of Hampton (part) and Poqouson and 3 precincts in York County. It slightly went for Kamala Harris after the remaining absentees and provisionals were counted, putting the seat on the target of the Democrat Party again. In a stunning upset victory Cordoza was elected in 2021, by just 66 votes ousting then well-known Delegate Martha Mugler. The Democrat Delegate outspent Cordoza by a margin of 16-1, however Cordoza over performed amongst non-white voters in his district propelling him to be the 51st House vote in Youngkin’s first legislative session. In his reelection bid of 2023, Cordoza faced top Democrat recruit former U.S. Air Force Under Secretary and Hampton University Administrator Jarris Taylor of York County. He won the targeted race improving on his margin from 49% to 56% and increasing his raw vote in an off year by almost 1,000 votes. If voters are looking for a candidate that is beloved by the grassroots base with a unique appeal to working class minority voters, A.C. could make noise with disciplined retail politics strategy and an exciting story of his path to becoming a Republican.
Tara Durant
State Senator
Stafford County
As a mother, military spouse and former teacher who beat breast cancer, Tara Durant is the poster child for suburban Stafford County. Beginning her political career she won a markee House of Delegates race in 2021 against incumbent Democrat Delegate Josh Cole, Durant proved herself as a tough campaigner despite being outspent by over $1.3 million. As a Delegate, Durant earned an excellent reputation in Richmond as a diligent legislator who did her homework. She is known in her district as someone who regularly attends community events and stays on top of local issues. In 2023, Durant declared for the state senate, she was faced with a new obstacle in her young political life, a vicious primary that she eventually overcame to make her way to the general election against Democrat Joel Griffen, a successful businessman and marine veteran. Griffin outspent Durant in a 3 way race that featured an Independent candidate by $600k. It is safe to say that Durant has the experience and work ethic needed to win a tough election.
As a candidate for Lt. Governor, Durant would help solidify the Fredericksburg I-95 corridor that the presumed Democrat nominee for Governor, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger currently represents. Stafford County in particular has become a swing county over the years with Kamala Harris winning its 37 precincts by 285 votes. Durant offers experience in her service as a current Senator, (in Virginia the Lt. Governor presides over the Senate), she knows her way around Richmond and various political circles, she is well spoken and rarely makes gaffes. At a time when the battle for Virginia rests in the purple suburbs of places like Hampton Roads, Chesterfield, and the outer rim of the D. C. suburbs, Durant offers a style that is appealing to those coveted moderate voters.
Rich Anderson
Republican Party Chairman and Former Delegate
Prince William County
A steady hand at the wheel of what had been a disheveled state party, Rich Anderson has shown he can produce results for grassroots conservatives. He and his team are given praise for a well run back to December RPV Advance.
Anderson a native of Roanoke, a proud Hokie and United States Air Force Officer, knows every corner of the Commonwealth. His dedication to political public service began in 2009 as a candidate in Prince William County for the House of Delegates. Anderson served in the Virginia House until losing to Democrat Hala Ayala where he was outspent by an astonishing $1.1 million, mostly outside money. Anderson’s wife Ruth, also served in government as a member of the Board of Supervisors in Prince William County.
Anderson, known for his mild mannered tone, is a strong retail politician with excellent people skills. He is someone that looks to bring people together to solve issues in his warm and positive professional style, true to his Roanoke roots. Anderson would bring an upbeat attitude with a deep love of Virginia to the race. His military background, experience as a legislator and grassroots bonafides will endear him to many longtime Virginia Republicans. If Anderson enters the fray, look for excitement from many current and former Delegates across the Commonwealth. Just take a look at former Delegate and candidate for Lt. Governor Tim Hugo’s facebook post just before Election Day saying that Rich Anderson is a “good man and good leader.” A coalition of former Delegates could serve as effective surrogates on the trail.
John Reid
Radio Show Talk Host and Former U.S. Senate Staffer
Henrico
Richmond’s conservative voice in the morning could be trading in his microphone for a gavel. In a letter subtitled “exploratory candidate for Lt. Governor” given out to Republican activists at the annual RPV Advance, Reid emphasized the call for holding the conservative base while picking up new supporters. He highlighted his valiant efforts over the last 8 years on local conservative talk radio to organize everyday Virginians against the egregious liberal policies pushed by Democrats.
“In 2025 we are going to need a bold dynamic leader who can communicate our ideas and reach NEW voters who may have previously turned away from Republicans,” Reid states in his letter.
The son of former state Delegate Jack Reid, John has deep political roots in the Commonwealth. Serving as a communications director for the former U.S. Senator George Allen, Reid understands what is needed in a campaign most, a winning message that resonates with the electorate. He understands the role of the Virginia government and how policies impact everyday Virginians. Reid is a communications expert, he is engaging, makes eye contact with his audience be it a crowd or one on one. Working the circuit at the Advance, Reid had supporters in lapels with longtime Chesterfield operative Peter Foster manning his vendor table passing out bags with various goodies in them for the Republican attendees. It appears that of all the candidates in the field John Reid is out in front working the crowds and putting his intentions forefront.