This fall’s gubernatorial race in Virginia will make history no matter who wins: Either Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will become the state’s first elected female governor.

For now, that seems to be an afterthought.

Spanberger and Earle-Sears, who are each unopposed in Tuesday’s primaries ahead of a November matchup, have little apparent appetite to dwell on gender. Both of their campaigns would rather focus on Virginians’ concerns about tariffs and federal job cuts, as well as how the next governor can make the state more affordable.

But gender is a factor both candidates will navigate in a country that has elected just 51 female state governors in its history. The race could serve as a model for female candidates of both parties, particularly on the Democratic side after former Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss to President Donald Trump eight years after he defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

“There’s still stereotypes,” said Mary Sue Terry, a Democratic former state attorney general who unsuccessfully ran for Virginia governor in 1993.

Women “are perceived as being very diligent and having character, but they’re not always perceived as being strong and taking on the big boys, so to speak,” she said.

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