NORFOLK, Va. — During this evening’s televised, statewide gubernatorial debate hosted by WAVY-TV and Norfolk State University, Abigail Spanberger will drive a clear message focused on the issues that matter most to Virginia voters — making Virginia more affordable and growing Virginia’s economy.
Ahead of the debate, Spanberger for Governor Campaign Manager Samson Signori released the following statement.
“Tonight’s debate will make clear the contrast in this race — Abigail Spanberger is focused on solving the real challenges Virginia families face, while Winsome Earle-Sears has already shown that she will always put President Trump first.
“Virginians across the Commonwealth are echoing what Abigail has been saying all year — that Virginians want a Governor who is focused on making Virginia more affordable. That’s exactly why Abigail has laid out her plans to bring down housing, healthcare, and energy costs — and why she’ll get to work on Day One to get it done.
“Tonight, Virginians will also see that Winsome Earle-Sears doesn’t have the backbone to stand up to President Trump’s attacks on Virginia. Instead, Sears is going to lie about Abigail’s record and mislead Virginians about her own — but she won’t be able to cover up her steadfast support for President Trump as he drives up costs for families, threatens Virginians’ healthcare, and kills Virginia jobs.
“Unlike her opponent, Abigail will never put party or politics ahead of the people of Virginia. I’m glad that Virginians will have this opportunity to hear exactly how Abigail will put them first.”
BACKGROUND
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ABIGAIL SPANBERGER: During tonight’s debate, Abigail Spanberger will drive how she will get to work to deliver for the Commonwealth and always put Virginia first.
- LOWERING COSTS: Abigail has remained focused on lowering costs for Virginia families. That’s why she released her Affordable Virginia Plan to lower healthcare, housing, and energy costs. The cost of living remains the top issue for Virginia voters.
- STRENGTHENING SCHOOLS: As a mom of three kids in Virginia public schools, Abigail will make sure our schools are the best in America. That’s why she released her Strengthening Virginia Schools Plan to strengthen Virginia’s child care and early childhood education programs, K-12 schools, and institutions of higher education.
- STANDING UP FOR VIRGINIA: Abigail will stand up for Virginia jobs in the face of the Trump Administration’s attacks on Virginia’s economy and workforce — attacks that led the University of Virginia to forecast that the Commonwealth will have virtually no job growth in 2026. That’s why she also released her Growing Virginia Plan to boost workforce training and bring business investment across the Commonwealth.
- KEEPING VIRGINIA SAFE: As a former federal law enforcement officer and former CIA case officer, Abigail will keep our communities safe. The Virginia Police Benevolent Association backs her campaign for Governor, the first time the organization has endorsed a Democrat for Governor since 2009.
- PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Abigail believes that these decisions should be made between a woman, her family, and their doctor — not politicians. The future of abortion rights is on the ballot this year, as “2025 voters may chart the path of reproductive rights for a generation” in Virginia.
- BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER: Abigail will bring people together and stand up to both parties to do what’s right for Virginia. In the U.S. House, she was consistently ranked as the most bipartisan Member of Congress from Virginia and had bills signed into law by both President Trump and President Biden.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM WINSOME EARLE-SEARS: On the debate stage, Virginians will hear Winsome Earle-Sears’ extreme positions firsthand — and will not hear any real plans to address Virginians’ top-of-mind concerns.
- BACKING TRUMP 100 PERCENT, EVEN WHEN VIRGINIANS LOSE HEALTHCARE: Just last week, Sears refused to cite any Trump policies she disagrees with. She supports Trump policies that are taking away healthcare from more than 300,000 Virginians and have already forced three rural health clinics to close in Virginia.
- RAISING COSTS: Sears has released no substantial plan to lower costs. Instead, she has praised Trump policies that are raising costs on Virginians. Sears said Trump’s tax law — which raises the cost of healthcare, housing, and energy, “does so many great things.”
- FAILING TO STAND UP FOR VIRGINIA JOBS: All year long, Sears has supported DOGE taking away Virginia jobs, even as Donald Trump threatens further mass layoffs during the government shutdown. Earlier this year, she even mocked fired federal employees.
- TAKING EXTREME POSITIONS: Winsome Earle-Sears has an extreme record on abortion and birth control. She supports a ban on abortion without exceptions for rape or incest and supports making abortion a felony. Earlier this year, Sears “couldn’t resist” voting against the Right to Contraception Act. And when it comes to marriage equality, Sears claimed that legalizing same-sex marriage could lead to the “destruction of society” and indicated that she supports firing Virginians for being gay. Last year, she left a handwritten note on marriage equality legislation signed into law by Governor Youngkin that said she was “morally opposed” to the bill.
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