HBCU

Virginia’s 1st Women Governor Candidates Spar In Debate

In a highly anticipated showdown at Norfolk State University, Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears clashed over abortion, taxes, and the Jay Jones text scandal — marking a high-stakes moment in Virginia’s 2025 governor’s race.

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By Markus Schmidt
The Virginia Mercury

After months of deeply polarized campaigning, the tone of political speech and the fallout from the recent controversy over Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones dominated Virginia’s only gubernatorial debate October 9 at Norfolk State University, where Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears clashed sharply over violence, abortion, taxes, and immigration in an often heated exchange.

Moderators Deanna Albritton of WRIC and Tom Schaad of WAVY frequently had to rein in Earle-Sears, who interrupted Spanberger repeatedly as the two traded barbs before a crowd of students and invited guests at the historically Black university.

The 60-minute debate, which was televised statewide, was the only face-to-face encounter of the 2025 race for governor – a contest that polls show leaning toward Spanberger. An Emerson College Polling survey released last week found the Democrat leading Earle-Sears by 10 points, 52 percent to 42 percent, buoyed by strong support among independents and younger voters.

Jay Jones Controversy & Political Rhetoric

The debate’s opening segment focused on the scandal engulfing Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones, who admitted sending text messages referencing former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert in language that both parties have condemned as violent and unacceptable.

Asked whether she knew about the messages before their release – and whether she still endorsed Jones – Spanberger sidestepped direct answers despite repeated follow-ups from the moderators.

“The comments that Jay Jones made are absolutely abhorrent,” Spanberger said. “I denounced them when I learned of them, and I will denounce them every opportunity I get as a mother, as a public servant, as a candidate for governor.”

Pressed again on whether she still endorsed Jones, Spanberger said she learned of the texts only when they became public and added, “It is up to voters to make an individual choice based on this information.”

Earle-Sears seized on the moment, accusing Spanberger of lacking “political courage.”

“Jay Jones advocated the murder of a man, a former speaker, as well as his children,” Earle-Sears said. “What if he said it about your three children?” she asked Spanberger directly. “I’m asking my opponent to please ask Jay Jones to get out of the race.”

When moderators turned to President Donald Trump’s remarks at the memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, where Trump said, “I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them,” Earle-Sears said she would not use such language but pivoted again to the Jones case.

“As everybody knows, I’m a Christian before I’m a Republican,” she said. “I’m required to forgive people … but I would not say that.”

Political analyst David Richards, a professor at the University of Lynchburg, said the issue dominated the night to Earle-Sears’ detriment.

“Earle-Sears was not doing herself any favors tonight,” Richards said afterward. “Her constant interruptions seemed desperate and frankly unbecoming. She played the Jay Jones card over and over, which got old.”

Clash On Reproductive Rights

The sharpest policy divide of the evening came over abortion.

Earle-Sears reiterated her support for new limits, saying she would sign legislation banning abortion after 15 weeks, possibly earlier, depending on what “the majority of Virginians decide.”

Spanberger pushed back, accusing her opponent of mischaracterizing her position.

“When the Dobbs decision was made, it was very quickly clear that state after state would move to restrict abortion access,” she said. “In states where they further restricted abortion access, women have died. I support the constitutional amendment codifying the Roe v. Wade standard.”

Taxes & Affordability

Earle-Sears leaned heavily on fiscal themes, promising to eliminate Virginia’s car tax in her first year and claiming the state has “run budget surpluses every year” under Republican leadership.

Spanberger agreed the car tax is unpopular but said her opponent’s record doesn’t match her rhetoric.

“My opponent went in the legislature and had the opportunity to lower the car tax by 10 percent and voted against it,” she said, referring to the Republican’s tenure in the House of Delegates from 2002 to 2004. “Now, in the four years that she has been lieutenant governor, she hasn’t made the effort to get rid of this tax.”

Contrasting Biographies & Tones

The debate also showcased the stark personal contrasts between the two women.

Spanberger, 46, served three terms in Congress representing Virginia’s 7th District before announcing last year she would run for governor.

A former CIA operations officer, she built a reputation as a centrist focused on bipartisanship and pragmatic problem-solving. Her campaign has emphasized lowering costs, protecting abortion rights and investing in workforce training.

Earle-Sears, 61, made history in 2021 as Virginia’s first Black woman elected statewide.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, she previously served one term in the House of Delegates and on the State Board of Education. She launched her gubernatorial bid in 2024 pledging to continue Youngkin’s conservative policies on taxes, education and social issues.

Richards, the Lynchburg political scientist, said their temperaments reflected those records.

The Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused non-profit news organization.