NORFOLK, Va. — The debate between Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger was held on Thursday at Norfolk State University.
This tense showdown between both gubernatorial candidates revealed their differing stances on a wide range of issues. Dodgy answers and repeated interruptions were also present throughout the debate.
Politics
Where the governor's race stands going into tonight's debate
A couple of days before Thursday's debate, Christopher Newport University's Wason Center for Civic Leadership released a poll which placed Spanberger 10 percentage points ahead of Earle-Sears in a 52% to 42% split.
Watch related coverage: Get to know the nominees in Virginia's history-making governor's race
Stance on the car tax
Earle-Sears was asked about her plans for the car tax moving forward. She touted tax cuts that took place under current Gov. Glenn Youngkin and said she would move toward eliminating the car tax — however, she then tried to ask Spanberger to urge Jay Jones to drop out over the threatening text controversy.
The moderator then told Earle-Sears that this topic would be covered later in the debate.
Spanberger said she also supports removing the car tax, but she also mentioned her intent to ensure funding to schools does not get disrupted as a result.
Political rhetoric
Spanberger was asked about the threatening texts sent by the Democratic candidate for attorney general back in 2022. She denounced these messages while Earle-Sears persisted with her opponent, sometimes speaking over her to demand an answer.
Earle-Sears continually asked the Democratic candidate: “Do you still endorse Jay Jones?”
Watch related coverage: Virginia Attorney General on opponent's violent text messages: 'I do not accept his apology'
The debate moderators then asked Spanberger directly about her support for Jones, and whether she knew about the text messages prior to the 2025 campaign.
Spanberger said she was not aware of the messages; however, she did not directly comment on whether she will continue to fully endorse Jones.
"It is up to every person to make their own decision," Spanberger said.
Earle-Sears was asked if she "hates" her opponent, in reference to President Trump's comments during Charlie Kirk's memorial.
Earle-Sears said she would not repeat what the president said. She then pivoted to harp on the Jones text controversy again, directly asking Spanberger how she would feel if the comments were made about her family.
Earle-Sears was then asked about whether she would need Trump's endorsement to win the governor's race. As of Thursday at 7 p.m., she has not been directly endorsed by the president. She said she would accept the endorsement but will continue to campaign for Virginians.
During her rebuttal, Spanberger said she is more focused on affordability rather than heated political rhetoric. She continued to denounce violent rhetoric in politics.
Earle-Sears continued to speak over Spanberger during her rebuttal. She then went on to say Spanberger's plans will not make Virginia more affordable — the lieutenant governor urged viewers to visit her website, which directly refutes Spanberger's platform.
Government shutdown
Earle-Sears accused Spanberger of playing "political football" with federal workers. She then said Democrats are to blame for the federal shutdown. The lieutenant governor added that Spanberger should urge her Democratic colleagues to advance a funding bill to end the shutdown.
Earle-Sears was then asked more directly on whether she would urge Trump to work with Democrats for a compromise. In response, Earle-Sears continued to blame Democrats for the shutdown.
Spanberger was then asked whether she would urge the Virginia senators to cross the aisle and vote with the Republicans to pass a funding bill.
She avoided a direct answer, instead sayings she would encourage "everyone" to work together. Spanberger touted her past experience with bipartisanship during her time in the House of Representatives.
The Democratic candidate also accused Earle-Sears of "making light" of federal workers being fired under the Trump administration.
Earle-Sears then asked the moderators for a rebuttal. She used the time to tout job growth during her time as lieutenant governor.
Data centers
Spanberger was asked about her plans for data centers in Virginia. She said it is important "they pay their fair share." She then said Virginia is the largest energy importer in the country, saying action needs to be taken against the "impending" energy crisis.
The Democratic candidate then said Earle-Sears has supported the Trump administration's efforts to divert funding away from clean energy projects in Virginia.
She said energy costs have continued to rise for Virginians, pointing to her "Growing Virginia Plan" as a solution.
Earle-Sears was then asked about how to handle the high cost of running data centers, and how to ensure the cost is not passed on to Virginians. Earle-Sears condemned the "Virginia Clean Economy Act," which was passed in 2020 and signed by then-Gov. Ralph Northam.
She called wind and solar energy ineffective and costly. The Republican candidate also mentioned her intent to make southwest Virginia a hub for energy production.
Earle-Sears then said she would further invest in oil, natural gas, and nuclear as sources of energy.
Job growth, bringing young professionals to Virginia
"We're bringing jobs here, because we want our children who are born here, raised here — we want them to stay here," Earle-Sears said. "We want them to create generational wealth."
Earle-Sears said over 265,000 jobs have been created in Virginia during her time as lieutenant governor, praising Youngkin's work on job growth. She also claimed that over 15,000 start up companies have been established in Virginia during this time span.
Spanberger said Virginia's higher education institutions brings many young people to the commonwealth, something she hopes to capitalize on.
"I will want to ensure that when they graduate, they will stay in Virginia to start a business, to start a family, and to start their career," Spanberger said.
She added that the cost of housing in Virginia could repel the young workforce. Spanberger claimed that since Earle-Sears became lieutenant governor, the cost of buying a house has risen by 18%, and the cost of renting has gone up by 14%.
Finding common ground
Spanberger said she appreciates Earle-Sears' faith and hard work.
"I admire her service to our country," Spanberger added.
The two shook hands after the Democratic candidate was done speaking.
Earle-Sears praised Spanberger for being a "devoted mom."
"I do believe that she cares," Earle-Sears said.
Transgender school policies
Spanberger was said she is devoted to the safety of children. She said it is important that parents, teachers, and administrators make decisions about their individual schools, not politicians.
Spanberger also reaffirmed her stance on equality for LGBTQ+ individuals, specifically in regards to marriage laws.
The moderator then pushed for a more direct answer regarding whether she believes transgender females, who were biological men at birth, should be in women's sports and locker rooms. Earle-Sears also kept pushing for Spanberger to answer more directly.
"I think its incumbent upon parents, and educators, and administrators to make decisions locally," Spanberger said. "There never should be nude men in [women's] locker rooms."
Earle-Sears immediately jumped at the second comment, saying this contradicted the Democratic candidate's previous voting record.
She was then asked whether she would rescind Youngkin's ban on transgender women in women's locker rooms. Spanbeger again said this decision should be made in individual communities.
Earle-Sears said she would not rescind this order. She then harped on Spanberger's voting record, pointing to her "yes" vote on transgender bathroom legislation.
"We know that girls want to have privacy, its really that simple," Earle-Sears said.
Earle-Sears then asked Spanberger several hypothetical questions about transgender women being in a women's locker room.
The lieutenant governor was then asked directly whether she thinks transgender children are a threat. She expressed worry regarding situations in which biological men are in women's locker rooms due to their physical differences.
Reproductive rights
Earle-Sears said abortion should be decided at the state-level. She then accused Spanbeger of being in favor of extreme late-term abortions.
"The other half has the extremist view, which is abortion up until the very hour the baby could be born, up until the very minute," Earle-Sears said.
The Republican candidate was then asked whether she would veto a bill aiming to codify abortion rights — she dodged a direct answer, instead saying its the voters' choice.
Spanberger was then asked about whether she supports some restrictions on abortions. Throughout her response, Earle-Sears accused Spanberger of supporting abortions while the mother is in labor. Spanberger continued, saying the overturning of Roe v. Wade has harmed women's health, while affirming her commitment to codifying abortion rights in Virginia.
Spanberger added that she supports limits on late-term abortions, and restrictions for abortions for minors.
Immigration
Spanberger was asked whether she supports local law enforcement assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In response, Spanberger touted her experience as a federal officer. She said public safety is her priority and that local law enforcement should work with federal agents when there is a warrant. She added that she does not support Virginia being a sanctuary state.
Earle-Sears, who does support local law enforcement cooperating with ICE, was then asked about the lower rates of crime reporting among immigrant communities.
The lieutenant governor said 4,000 undocumented immigrants have been found in Virginia amid the Trump administration's crackdown. She said many of them were involved in gangs, or the Chinese Communist Party. She then attacked Spanberger's previous voting record in regards to border control, saying she was against shutting down the border.
She was then asked whether there is a worry regarding immigrants being afraid of cooperating with law enforcement due to fears of being deported. She pointed to her own experience as an immigrant, urging people to follow the law.
School curriculum
Earle-Sears said she strongly supports parents being involved in their child's education. She then pointed to Spanberger's "no" vote on Parents Bill of Rights Act during a roll call vote in 2023.
The Republican candidate then explained aspects of this bill, directly asking Spanberger why she is against these transparency measures.
Earle-Sears also criticized former Gov. Northam for closing the schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spanberger was then asked whether the government should have a say on books being offered in public schools.
She said it is important that parents are involved every step of the way, adding that they should be engaged with their child's teachers.
She then said Earle-Sears is in favor of defunding public schools. Earle-Sears attempted to refute the Democratic candidate during her response again.
"I think I'm up to lie 12," Earle-Sears said.
Marijuana legalization
Spanberger said it is important that there's a "clear market" for retail marijuana sales, urging for transparency. She then called back on her previous federal law enforcement experience and her voting record regarding anti-fentanyl measures.
Earle-Sears was then asked whether she would veto a bill aiming to legalize retail marijuana sales in Virginia, something Youngkin has done twice as governor. In response, she affirmed her support for medicinal marijuana. She then shared an anecdote from her time as a business owner, explaining that she had fired employees for marijuana use, saying it could lead to reckless actions.
Differences with Gov. Youngkin
Earle-Sears did not directly answer whether she would do anything different than what Youngkin has done. She said there have been "many talks" between herself and the governor, adding that she won't run away from her accomplishments as lieutenant governor.
Spanberger said she is in agreement with Youngkin regarding his "strong path forward" on nuclear energy programs, something she pledged to continue.
Earle-Sears continued to speak over Spanberger, saying she is instead in favor of solar energy — the Democratic candidate refuted this.
Spanberger then pivoted to criticize the rising unemployment rate and cost of living in Virginia under Youngkin.
Favorite Virginia-born president
Spanberger said Thomas Jefferson is her favorite, partly because he founded the University of Virginia, where she is an alumna.
Earle-Sears said George Washington, adding that his work was foundational to the United States.
Final statements
Earle-Sears pointed to her past experiences working in homeless shelters, and as a service member, emphasizing that she is hard working and ready for the governorship.
Spanberger said she will always put Virginians first. She said her administration will shield the commonwealth from the impacts of the Trump administration while prioritizing affordability.
