RICHMOND, Va. – Two candidates are vying to be Virginia’s next Lt. Governor, and no matter who wins history will be made.
Hala Ayala, a current Delegate in the House of Delegates and a Democrat, or Winsome Sears, a former member of the state House and a republican, will become the first woman to serve in the role.
“If someone can look at me, for example, a young child and say, ‘Winsome is there. If she can do it, then I can do it,’ that means the world to me because it means I lit a fire and somebody is following my flame,” said Sears.
“We’re definitely planting seeds of the future to ensure that every Virginian has a seat at the table versus being on the menu,” said Ayala.
It’s been nearly three decades since Virginia’s only woman to win a statewide race held political office.
The lone female statewide officeholder in Virginia’s long history is Democrat Mary Sue Terry, who served as attorney general from 1986 to 1993.
When speaking with WSLS 10 News, both women acknowledged the milestone while also seeming unfazed.
“History? Ok, that’s good for me, but what are you going to do afterward,” questioned Sears.
“It would be an honor to break that glass ceiling, but this election is much more about Virginia than it is about me,” said Ayala.
Click here to view Ayala’s campaign website.
Click here to view Sears’s campaign website.