Virginia Republican party's multicultural lineup performs together publicly for the first time, as internal conflicts persist within their ranks
John Reid, Virginia's Diverse Republican Lieutenant Governor Nominee, Faces Controversy but Unites Ticket
John Reid, the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, is actively campaigning with less than 90 days until the November 4, 2025, election. He became the nominee by default after his only primary opponent, Pat Herrity, withdrew due to health reasons in April 2025.
Reid’s campaign has been notable for controversy surrounding alleged sexually explicit posts on Tumblr, which Reid denies making. Governor Glenn Youngkin initially asked Reid to withdraw from the race citing these allegations, but later reaffirmed his support for Reid and the full Republican statewide ticket after backlash within the party. A Youngkin staffer involved in the controversy resigned as a result.
Despite the initial controversy, Reid has emphasized his opposition to government overreach and "wokism." He has launched a Workforce Freedom Agenda to appeal to grassroots Republican voters. Reid continues to campaign alongside the Republican gubernatorial nominee, Winsome Earle-Sears, and Attorney General incumbent Jason Miyares, aiming to unify the Republican ticket.
Earle-Sears, the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia, and Reid, the first openly gay man nominated for statewide office by the GOP, represent one of the most diverse Republican tickets the Commonwealth has ever seen. The unity of the ticket was on display at a recent rally in Vienna, where both candidates expressed their commitment to the entire ticket and the Republican party of Virginia.
At the rally, Youngkin expressed his full support for Reid’s election as lieutenant governor. Reid, in turn, reaffirmed his commitment to the ticket and the party, marking a reset for the statewide GOP ticket after a rocky spring.
In May, Earle-Sears voiced her dissent for HB 174, a bill that bans officials from denying marriage licenses based on sex, gender, or race, by writing a note on the bill stating her moral opposition. She emphasized her constitutional obligation to adhere to the procedures laid out in the Constitution of Virginia. Reid, on the other hand, has stated that he would vote no on the same-sex marriage amendment moving through the General Assembly, citing concerns about religious liberty.
Despite the lingering ideological and personal divides, the candidates are united in their goal to win the election. Earle-Sears stated that they are focusing on their individual campaigns but are united in their goal to win the election.
The joint rally marked a significant moment in the campaign as Republicans attempt to present a unified front as they enter the fall stretch.
[1] The Washington Post
[2] Richmond Times-Dispatch
[3] The Hill
- As the November 4, 2025, election approaches, John Reid, the Republican nominee for Virginia's Lieutenant Governor, finds himself in the midst of war-and-conflicts due to controversies surrounding alleged sexually explicit posts, but he is determined to unite his ticket with fellow nominees Winsome Earle-Sears and Jason Miyares.
- The Virginia Lieutenant Governor race has become a hot topic in policy-and-legislation and general-news circles, with both Earle-Sears and Reid voicing their opinions on issues such as government overreach, "wokism," and same-sex marriage, sparking debate among voters and political analysts.
