Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is facing backlash from within his own party after encouraging voters to split their ballots in the upcoming state elections — a move that effectively distances him from Republican gubernatorial candidate and current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.
In a video posted to his social media accounts, Miyares appeared alongside a voter identified as “Dave,” who openly stated that he had voted for Democrat Abigail Spanberger for governor while still supporting Miyares for re-election. “Dave’s splitting his ticket — you can too,” Miyares said in the caption, accompanied by a smiling photo with the voter.
The message was widely interpreted as an endorsement of bipartisan voting and a signal of political independence. However, many Republicans viewed it as a direct slight against Earle-Sears, his fellow GOP officeholder and the party’s gubernatorial nominee. Critics argued that Miyares’ public support for a Democratic candidate, even indirectly, undermines party unity at a critical moment.
Earle-Sears’ campaign did not issue an immediate statement, but several Republican operatives expressed frustration over what they described as a “strategic misstep” by Miyares, especially as the party attempts to maintain control over key state offices in the face of growing Democratic momentum.
Miyares, however, defended his comments, saying his appeal was rooted in promoting “independent thinking” among Virginia voters. “Virginians don’t fit neatly into one political box,” he told supporters at a separate campaign event. “We’ve proven that you can vote based on integrity, performance, and results — not just party labels.”
The move reflects growing ideological divisions within the Virginia Republican Party as it navigates an increasingly competitive political landscape. Polls suggest that Spanberger holds a slim lead over Earle-Sears heading into Election Day, with Miyares’ race for attorney general remaining tight but leaning slightly in his favor.
Political analysts note that Miyares’ decision may be a calculated gamble to appeal to moderate and independent voters who prefer a more centrist approach — but it could also alienate the conservative base that helped elect him. With control of the state’s top offices at stake, the controversy underscores the delicate balance between party loyalty and political pragmatism in a deeply divided Virginia electorate.