The gubernatorial race between Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger guarantees Virginia will join 32 other states that have elected a woman to their highest office.

"It's not just since the United States was in existence, it's since Virginia's been in existence," said Dr. John Augenbach, a VCU political professor. "So add a couple hundred more years."

The historic nature of the race extends beyond gender representation. If Earle-Sears wins, she would become Virginia's first Black female governor.

"It wasn't until we move into the 1970s and 80s that we actually get female candidates running for the position," Augenbach said.

Virginia voters expressed excitement about the groundbreaking election while emphasizing the importance of examining e

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