Four centuries in, Virginia could be on track for its first female Governor.

[….] “To see two women major-party candidates for a very high-profile governor’s race is, in and of itself, a big sign of progress in this country,” said Amanda Hunter, former executive director of the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, which for 25 years studied women running for executive office on both sides of the aisle.

“It is extraordinarily difficult for a woman to be elected as an executive. And it seems like the best way is when two women run against each other, which is rare,” said Republican pollster Amanda Iovino, […]

Women have had a far easier time winning seats in state legislatures and Congress than executive roles like governorships and the still-elusive presidency, said CAWP director Debbie Walsh.

“Especially when you’re running for a chief executive position … the question is, ‘Will this woman be strong enough and tough enough?’” she said. “The stereotypes about women’s leadership is they do well in committees. Legislative work fits into that. But being the executive, where the buck stops, is different.”

Read the full article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/12/01/virginia-woman-governor-earle-sears-spanberger-2025/