Spanberger, Earle-Sears clash over violence, abortion, and taxes in lone Va. governor’s debate

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 Thursday night 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% to 42%, buoyed by strong support among independents and younger voters.

Jay Jones controversy and 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.”

“My opponent, unfortunately, only denounces violence when her side is the target,” she added, directly addressing Earle-Sears. “You routinely referred to me as your enemy. I’m not your enemy. We are political opponents.”

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.”

She invoked her upbringing in Jamaica, saying she had witnessed political violence as a child and did not want to “see that in America.”

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.”

Spanberger countered that Earle-Sears herself refused to condemn violent rhetoric from her own party.

“The statement you read from President Donald Trump was violent rhetoric that she refuses to denounce,” Spanberger said, addressing the moderators.

The exchanges underscored how the controversy over Jones has reshaped the final stretch of Virginia’s election season. As The Mercury reported earlier this week, Democratic leaders have struggled to contain fallout from the texts, which Republicans have used to portray the party as divided and hypocritical on civility and accountability.

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.” 

“It’s not going to be my view,” she said. “My opponent, on the other hand, has the extremist view, which is abortion up until the very hour that the baby could be born.”

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.”

The amendment, which would enshrine abortion rights in Virginia’s constitution and which Earle-Sears wrote that she is “morally opposed” to, is expected to appear on the ballot in 2026 after the next General Assembly cycle if lawmakers approve it a second time — an issue both candidates said will define the next governor’s term.

Taxes and 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.

“We could have gotten rid of that this year, because Governor Youngkin put it in his budget,” she said. “We had the money. We can do it.”

Earle-Sears did not answer directly when moderators asked how she would replace the $2 billion the car tax generates for the state each year. 

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% 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.”

Spanberger added that any repeal must protect funding for public schools and local services — an argument echoing Democratic criticism of tax-cut proposals advanced by Youngkin that critics said would strain local budgets.

Education and parental involvement

Education policy, long a centerpiece of Virginia politics, drew another spirited exchange.

Earle-Sears repeated her campaign line that “parents are their child’s first teachers” and that she does not “co-parent with the government.”

Spanberger, a mother of three daughters in public schools, struck a similar tone on parental engagement but defended educators’ role in shaping curricula.

“Parents’ engagement is extraordinarily important,” she said. “And I support the strength of our public schools because they provide opportunities for students everywhere.”

The candidates’ agreement ended when the topic turned to transgender students’ rights. Spanberger declined to take a definitive position on whether transgender girls should use girls’ bathrooms or play on girls’ teams, saying localities should decide.

Earle-Sears said she would uphold Youngkin’s 2022 policy requiring students to use bathrooms aligned with their assigned sex at birth.

“I’m not for discriminating against anyone,” she said. “Girls want to have privacy. It’s really that simple.”

Immigration and law enforcement

The debate later shifted to immigration and public safety, a frequent flashpoint during Earle-Sears’ tenure as lieutenant governor. 

She backed Youngkin’s directive for Virginia State Police to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in removing undocumented immigrants, saying violent offenders must be prioritized.

“We have found cartel members here, communist Chinese gangs here,” Earle-Sears said. “They’re here because my opponent did not vote to shut down our borders.”

Spanberger, a former CIA officer and former member of Congress, rejected Earle-Sears’ claim and emphasized that she supports law enforcement cooperation when a valid warrant or criminal charge exists.

“Anytime there is someone wanted for a criminal offense, absolutely that cooperation shouldn’t just occur — it must,” she said.

Her law-and-order framing aligned with her broader effort to position herself as a pragmatic Democrat focused on safety and stability, in contrast to what she called “partisan chaos” in Washington.

Contrasting biographies and 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.

“Spanberger held her own and came off as much more polished and capable, if not a little cold,” he said. “Earle-Sears often came across as slightly unhinged.”

He added that both candidates dodged tough questions.

“Neither candidate wanted to answer questions directly,” Richards said. “The hosts tried to keep them on target, but were ineffective. This debate probably didn’t change too many people’s minds.”

Moments of civility

In one of the few lighter moments, both candidates were asked what they admired about the other. Spanberger praised Earle-Sears’ faith and her service in prison ministry.

“I admire her service to our country, particularly as someone who chose to be an American and chose to serve,” the Democrat said.

Earle-Sears responded by calling Spanberger “a devoted mom” and “a daughter who loves her parents very much,” before crossing the stage to shake her opponent’s hand — a rare gesture in a campaign marked by mutual distrust.

Closing messages

In her closing statement, Earle-Sears returned to her biography.

“I ran a men’s prison ministry. I’ve mopped the floors of a homeless shelter. I’ve given my life to service,” she said. “I’m a United States Marine. I know how to defend and deliver for Virginia.”

Spanberger’s closing remarks emphasized steadiness and bipartisanship.

“I served as a federal agent at CIA and then in Congress, I always endeavored to put Virginians first,” she said. “My opponent has not done the same, putting her allegiance to Donald Trump first, no matter the cost.”

With less than four weeks until Election Day, analysts say Spanberger enters the final stretch with momentum but faces an energized conservative base. Early voting is already underway across Virginia.

Whether the Norfolk debate swayed undecided voters remains unclear. 

“Earle-Sears’ attempts to drag Spanberger into the Jay Jones scandal were unsuccessful. Overall, I’d give Spanberger a small edge because she seemed calmer and more professional,” Richards said. 

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