(The Center Square) – A new poll shows Virginia’s governor’s race tightening, with Democrat Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Winsome Earle-Sears as the campaign grows more heated.
The Co/efficient survey of 1,025 likely voters taken Aug. 23–26 put Spanberger at 48% and Sears at 43%. Independent candidate Donna Charles drew 3% while 7% of voters said they were undecided.
In the lieutenant governor’s race, Republican John Reid and Democrat Ghazala Hashmi are tied at 43% each, with 14% undecided.
After the poll’s release, Reid called the numbers “momentum on our side” and said he would work to win over undecided voters despite what he described as limited campaign funds compared to his opponent.
Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, trailed Democrat Jay Jones 45% to 44%, according to the poll.
Both Spanberger and Sears are viewed closely by voters. Spanberger’s favorability was rated at 42% compared to 39% unfavorable, while Sears was 40% favorable and 36% unfavorable.
The campaigns have been drawing sharper contrasts in recent weeks.
Spanberger has emphasized costs, saying Trump-era tax policies and cuts to Medicaid would raise expenses for Virginians. She has also highlighted energy affordability and pledged to lower utility bills as part of her platform.
Sears has focused her message on cultural and fiscal issues, including eliminating the car tax, opposing Democratic-backed policies on transgender student bathroom and locker room access, and criticizing Spanberger’s stance on immigration enforcement.
Last week, attention was back on the heavily divided race when a woman displayed a racist sign outside an Arlington County School Board meeting. The sign referenced Jim Crow-era segregation and was widely condemned.
Spanberger called the display “racist and abhorrent,” while advocacy group We of Action Virginia said the person was not affiliated with its leadership despite the protester wearing one of its shirts. Sears said Democrats were trying to connect her to the incident and criticized the display as unacceptable.
Outside the head-to-head races, voters showed clear preferences on several issues. Cutting Virginia’s car tax drew overwhelming support, with 85% in favor. Nearly 70% said schools should be required to notify parents if a child changes gender identity or pronouns. On questions like deporting non-violent immigrants and shortening prison sentences, the opinions were far more split.
The generic ballot for the Virginia House of Delegates was also close, with Democrats at 47%, Republicans at 44%, and 9% undecided.
The winner of November’s election will succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin in January, and the race will mark the first time a woman has been elected governor in Virginia.
The survey’s margin of error is +/- 3.06%.
