As federal government closures started on Wednesday, Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears pointed fingers at her Democratic rivals, particularly former Rep. Abigail Spanberger and two state U.S. Senators, for the negative effects of these actions.
On Thursday, Republicans expressed their frustration over Democratic attempts to mix controversial provisions into spending bills, including medical support for undocumented immigrants, which even led House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to don a Sombrero. Earle-Sears informed Fox News Digital that Spanberger has been targeting federal Republicans for allegedly contributing to “reckless spending,” similar to the actions of former President Trump.
“Now Abigail is witnessing her party’s vote to shut down the government,” she stated.
Ramaswamy has shown his support for Earle-Sears, who is running for Governor of Virginia, with a rally scheduled for next week in a key suburban area.
Earle-Sears emphasized that Virginians aren’t the type to leverage political opportunities but rather deserve a leader capable of truly guiding them. Her campaign highlighted the contradictory behavior of Democrats, who have criticized government efficiency while simultaneously pushing towards a shutdown affecting public services in Virginia.
A spokesman for her campaign challenged, “Did Democrats lose their boogeyman?” saying Spanberger “didn’t lift a finger” to prevent her party’s shutdown. “Her silence speaks volumes,” he added, stressing that while politicians like Spanberger, Warner, and Kane are engaged in politics, Virginians are anxious about their livelihoods.
“They’re responsible for this shutdown,” Earle-Sears stated clearly.
Support for her candidacy from Trump’s camp acknowledges the difficulty of her race.
In response, Senator Tim Kaine dismissed Earle-Sears’ accusations, pointing out that she supported the Trump administration’s initiatives, including tariffs that negatively impacted Virginia businesses.
He remarked, “Now, she also backs Trump’s closures.”
Winsome Earle-Sears took a stand against Spanberger’s proposal to end Virginia’s ice agreement, declaring, “This isn’t complicated.”
Kaine criticized Earle-Sears, stating that Republicans controlling all branches of government failed to keep operations running, adding, “Virginians don’t deserve this dysfunction from a failed president and a governor aligned with Trump.”
Senator Warner, who is up for re-election in 2026, has not yet responded to requests for comments.
In a statement, Spanberger accused the Trump administration of undermining efficient government operations, stating that Virginians should hold the administration accountable for the job cuts their actions have caused. She expressed concern about unnecessary job losses and boasted that if she were elected, she would demand a collaborative approach to governance from the president.
