Virginia Gubernatorial Debate Highlights Tensions

During an appearance on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” Republican candidate Winsome Earl Sears criticized her Democratic opponent Abigail Spanberger, claiming she isn’t the influential figure that some have portrayed her to be.

In their only debate on Thursday, Ingraham highlighted Spanberger’s reluctance to address critical questions, especially regarding the inclusion of biological males in women’s restrooms. Earl Sears expressed his disappointment, suggesting that Spanberger seemed aware of the right stance but failed to articulate it. “What I saw was a woman who knew it shouldn’t happen, yet she couldn’t take that leap,” he stated, noting her visible discomfort during the debate.

“Democrats have built her up as this untouchable figure, but I think I’ve proven otherwise,” Earl Sears continued. He mentioned a scenario where he questioned Spanberger about her response if her daughter faced a similar situation, observing that she had no reply.

Spanberger’s campaign has been characterized by vague responses to various issues, particularly around school policies regarding bathrooms and sports. In the debate, Earl Sears firmly reiterated his stance against allowing biological males into women’s spaces while Spanberger sidestepped a question related to her workout habits in gender-segregated areas.

The tension escalated when Spanberger avoided answering whether she would support Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order that mandates gender segregation in bathrooms and other facilities. Additionally, she did not respond to inquiries about her continued support for attorney general candidate Jay Jones, who recently faced backlash due to alarming text messages he sent.

As the campaign heats up, recent polls indicate a close race. Current figures show Spanberger with an approval rating of 49.2% and Earl Sears at 45.2%, leaving about 5.6% of voters undecided. This marks a slight shift from a September poll that had Spanberger at 50.3% and Earl Sears at 43.2%.