Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle Sears has criticized former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger for attempting to persuade fellow Democrat Jay Jones to step back from the attorney general race. This came to light following the emergence of an email suggesting a violent sentiment towards a Republican leader.
During a debate, Spanberger largely avoided making eye contact with Sears and disregarded interruptions. Sears directly addressed Spanberger multiple times but didn’t receive a clear response.
Spanberger initially interrupted Sears, acknowledging the messages and condemning them as “abhorrent.” Yet, when prompted for specifics about Jones, Spanberger’s answers remained vague. Co-host Deanna Albrittin pointed out the lack of clarity in Spanberger’s response regarding Jones.
Sears had already called for Jones to resign and turned the discussion towards President Trump’s negative feelings towards political adversaries post the Charlie Kirk incident. Later, Sears confronted Spanberger, pressing her for a definitive stance on Jones’s statements regarding then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
When asked if she required Trump’s backing, Sears noted that while Trump supports lieutenant governor candidate John Reed, he had made rather subdued comments about her campaign.
Sears also critiqued Spanberger for allegedly delaying her condemnation of racist signs from leftist protesters during an anti-transgender sports demonstration that featured a Republican candidate.
The sign had an offensive message linking Sears, as a Black woman, to a discriminatory statement about public facilities for transgender individuals. Host Tom Schade questioned Spanberger on whether transgender girls, assigned male at birth, should use women’s restrooms or join co-ed sports teams. Spanberger responded, emphasizing the importance of her children’s safety and referencing her law enforcement background.
Sears later pointed out that Spanberger would not rescind Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order related to biological bathroom policies. Their discussion then shifted to whether they would continue or cancel certain policies established by Youngkin, who remains popular as his term concludes.
Sears stated he wouldn’t publicly disclose private discussions with Youngkin but expressed no intent to reverse their achievements. Spanberger mentioned she would support Youngkin’s initiatives to develop advanced nuclear energy in Virginia.
After the debate, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott Jr. defended Spanberger, claiming that Sears had failed to denounce Trump’s past violent remarks and highlighted a “double standard” regarding the pressure on Spanberger to call out Jones. He argued that Sears hadn’t been as critical of Trump’s comments regarding neoconservatism or former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney’s bipartisan stance.
Trump previously made controversial remarks regarding supporters of perpetual military engagement, implying a violent response towards Cheney. His campaign later clarified that no direct call for her execution was made, refuting claims of incitement to violence.
Sears’ campaign was approached for comments about the debate conduct, with spokesperson Peyton Vogel suggesting that observing who can effectively lead Virginia was important. Vogel criticized Spanberger, saying she couldn’t even face Sears directly and would not oppose Jones’s extreme rhetoric. He concluded that if Spanberger struggles to lead her party, she wouldn’t be equipped to lead the state.
