Right now, Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger has a lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the polls. Earle-Sears currently serves as the Lieutenant Governor under Governor Glenn Youngkin. Democrat Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Winsome Earle-Sears by seven points in the race for Virginia governor, according to a new Roanoke College poll released Tuesday morning. RELATED: Virginia governor candidates set debate date as race narrowsThe gubernatorial raceDig deeper:The race has been tightening since May, when Spanberger held a 17-point advantage. In July, a Virginia Commonwealth University poll put Spanberger in a lead of 49% to Sears' 37% among registered voters in Virginia.