Virginia's Winsome Earle-Sears could become first Black woman governor in U.S. history

Driving the news: The Virginia Department of Elections accepted the paperwork, first reported by WRIC, on Wednesday.

• This clears the path for Earle-Sears, a Marine veteran who emigrated from Jamaica as a kid, to launch her campaign.

The big picture: With Mayor Stoney dropping out earlier this year, the 2025 matchup for Virginia governor so far is Earle-Sears against Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who announced a run last November.

• That sets up this race to be historic, since Virginia has never had a woman as governor.
• If Earle-Sears won, she would be the nation's first Black woman governor.
• In 2021, she became the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia after defeating Democrat Hala Ayala in the general election.

Yes, but: There's a chance she might have to fight for the Republican nomination next year if Attorney General Jason Miyares — who has long been speculated to run — joins the race, too.

• He's kept quiet about his plans publicly, and told WTVR that his focus is on the 2024 election and "electing as many Republicans in Virginia as we can."

• In a Differentiator Data poll from last year of 500 likely GOP primary voters, Earle-Sears led Miyares by 31 points in a hypothetical 2025 matchup.

What's next: Earle-Sears' team said she'll have "a special announcement" at her Thursday night rally in Virginia Beach at Chick's Oyster Bar.

• Fun fact: Miyares represented Virginia Beach in the House of Delegates from 2016 to 2022.