(The Center Square) – The first and only debate in Virginia’s governor’s race turned quickly to Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones, whose violent text messages became the focus of the opening exchange.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears pressed Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger to call on Jones to withdraw after messages surfaced in which he referenced shooting former House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
“What would it take, him pulling the trigger?” Earle-Sears said. “He said he wanted to murder a man and his children who were two and five years old. Abigail, you have nothing to say?”
Spanberger denounced the texts as “absolutely abhorrent” but stopped short of disavowing Jones, telling moderators that voters should decide.
“I denounced them when I learned of them, and I will denounce them every opportunity I get,” Spanberger said. “We are all running our individual races. It is up to every voter to make their own individual decision. I am accountable for my words and my actions, and that is what I will answer for.”
Moderators asked Earle-Sears whether she condemns heated political rhetoric on her own side. They cited former President Donald Trump’s recent remark, “I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them.”
“I would not say that. I would not speak that way,” Earle-Sears said, pointing to her Christian faith and her childhood experiences with political violence in Jamaica. She again challenged Spanberger to demand Jones withdraw from the attorney general race.
The moderators then turned to endorsements, asking if Earle-Sears needed Trump’s backing to win in Virginia. She said she would accept all endorsements, including the president’s.
Spanberger responded that her opponent avoided criticizing Trump while expecting Democrats to address questions about violent rhetoric.
When asked how they would eliminate Virginia’s personal property tax on vehicles, both candidates agreed it should go. Neither, however, offered specifics on how the state would cover the $3 billion it generates for local governments.
The debate then moved to the ongoing federal shutdown. Spanberger pointed to her work during the 2019 shutdown and said she would urge lawmakers from both parties to return to the table.
Earle-Sears argued that Democrats in the Senate had the ability to end the impasse and noted that only eight more votes were needed, with Virginia contributing two. She also rejected suggestions that she had downplayed the shutdown’s effect on federal workers.
The candidates were also asked about Virginia’s data center boom and rising power bills.
Spanberger said data centers should “pay their fair share” and argued her plan would keep costs down, pointing to an ongoing State Corporation Commission case that could affect how utilities charge major energy users.
Earle-Sears blamed higher prices on the Virginia Clean Economy Act, saying it stripped power from the grid without replacement. She promoted a micro-reactor pilot in Southwest Virginia and said the state needs an “all-of-the-above” energy mix, warning, “What happens when the sun goes down?”
The debate turned to transgender policies in schools, including bathroom use and sports participation.
Spanberger did not say whether she would rescind Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s policy requiring students to use facilities based on biological sex, instead saying such decisions should be made locally by parents, teachers, and administrators.
Earle-Sears said she would keep the policy, arguing that girls deserve privacy in sports and locker rooms. Asked if transgender students are a safety threat, she pointed to biological differences in size and strength.
Spanberger countered by noting Earle-Sears’ past opposition to same-sex marriage. Earle-Sears replied by accusing Spanberger of supporting police defunding through a congressional vote.
Abortion is legal in Virginia through the second trimester with limited exceptions in the third, and lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment to protect access.
Earle-Sears said she would not push her own limits as governor, instead leaving the issue to voters and the General Assembly. She has previously supported 15- and 6-week restrictions but said, “It’s not going to be my view.”
Spanberger said she supports the current laws and the effort to codify abortion rights in the state constitution. She said she backs the Roe standard and warned that tighter restrictions in other states have endangered women’s health.
Spanberger said she supports state and local police working with ICE when there are warrants or criminal charges. She stressed she does not support sanctuary policies in Virginia and argued her record has been misrepresented.
Earle-Sears said Virginia has found thousands of people “criminally illegally here,” including gang members, and blamed Spanberger’s record for border failures and fentanyl deaths.
On the topic of education, Earle-Sears said she wants parents more involved in their children’s schooling, including curriculum decisions. She argued that Spanberger opposed the Parents’ Bill of Rights in Congress, which she said would have ensured parents were notified about curriculum changes, grade-level performance, and school violence.
Spanberger said she supports strong parental engagement and pointed to her own involvement in her daughters’ schools. She said public schools provide opportunities across Virginia and argued that Earle-Sears supports diverting funds away from them.
On marijuana, Spanberger was asked about her past support for creating a legal retail market for recreational cannabis. She stressed that it must be transparent and well-regulated to help law enforcement and prevent unsafe products from entering the market.
Earle-Sears said she believes in medical marijuana and its value but stopped short of supporting recreational legalization. She recalled her experience as a business owner, saying employees who tested positive for marijuana could not safely handle jobs involving gas and electricity. She closed by criticizing Spanberger as inconsistent before moderators cut her off.
In their closing remarks, Earle-Sears pointed to her background in service and work outside of politics. She noted her experience running prison ministries and working in a homeless shelter, highlighting her service as a U.S. Marine. Earle-Sears described herself as the only blue-collar worker in the race and asked voters for their support.
Spanberger closed by stressing her record of public service as a federal agent, CIA officer, and member of Congress. She said she would continue to “put Virginians first” as governor, arguing that Earle-Sears has prioritized “allegiance to Donald Trump” instead.
Whoever wins will become Virginia’s first female governor. Election Day is Nov. 4.
