Spanberger Dodges Questions in the Virginia Governor Debate
Democrat candidate for governor refused to answer important questions despite multiple follow-ups by moderators.
Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger dodged difficult questions from reporters on hot topics all year. Given multiple opportunities to answer direct and follow up questions during a debate, she still refused to give provide answers to Virginians. Her answers appeared designed to serve professional campaign consultants and focus groups over the voters of Virginia. She came off as unprepared to answer difficult questions, indicating a lack of leadership.
Here are Abigail Spanberger's top dodges from her debate with Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears. Note: some answers reduced for brevity, full answers available at this link. Warning: Full answers include indecipherable word salad.
The Car Tax
Question to Spanberger: Will you make a commitment to end the car tax and where will you find the money?
Answer: My husband "wrote a paper in high school about the hated car tax."
Follow up question: How would you come up with over $3 billion to fund the tax cut?
Answer: I'll bring people together because it requires a constitutional amendment to change it.
Spanberger never answered the question. Her answer was factually incorrect, as the legislature can also end the car tax. Previous legislation reduced the car tax, but Democrats halted the reduction when they took control. This answer shows she has no plan to lead her agenda through the legislature.
Spanberger's agenda has notable similarities to that of socialist New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, despite her attempts to present herself as a moderate. Her plans will expand the use of taxpayer funds for things like government run childcare and subsidized housing. Spanberger's agenda will increase taxes—not cut them.
READ MORE: VIRGINIA: Abigail Spanberger is a Socialist Aligning Herself with Anti-Israel Radicals
Spanberger then claimed Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor, failed to end the car tax during her term. Yet it was the Democrats who controlled both the Senate and House and killed legislation to end the car tax. Earle-Sears pointed out her administration had over $10 billion in surpluses which could have been used to end the car tax, but Democrats wouldn't allow it.
Boys in Girls' Sports and Private Spaces
Question to Spanberger: "Focusing on K-12 schools, should transgender girls who are biologically males be allowed to use girls’ bathrooms and play on girls’ sports teams?"
Answer: "I'm a former federal agent . . . I'm a mom of 3 girls"
Follow up question: "Once again, the question was should transgender girls who are biological males be allowed to use girls' bathrooms and play on girls' sports teams?"
Answer: "It's incumbent upon parents and educators and administrators in each local community to make decisions locally."
As a congresswoman, Spanberger voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. The legislation would have prohibited biological males from competing in sports designed only for girls. She also voted against the Parents Bill of Rights which would have required schools to notify parents in advance if biological males were permitted in girls' locker rooms or bathrooms.
Spanberger's solution—leaving it up to local school districts—is a proven loser that fails to protect the civil rights of all Virginians. Loudoun County Public Schools adopted policies to allow students to choose to use the bathroom or locker room of their preferred gender identity rather than biological sex. Spanberger's answer indicates she would not oppose Loudoun's policies that permit boys in girls' private spaces, which have led to multiple controversial outcomes. Her answer also indicates she would likely reverse Governor Glenn Youngkin's statewide policies prohibiting access to bathrooms, locker rooms and sports based on gender identity.
Abortion
Question to Spanberger: "Do you support any limits on abortion?"
Answer: "My opponent has threatened murder to women who have had abortions."
Follow up question: "Are there any limits you support in terms of abortion access including for minors?"
Answer: "I support the current laws."
Spanberger wants Virginia to be a safe haven for unlimited abortions.
Current abortion laws in Virginia are some of the least restrictive in the nation, allowing abortion without any limitations through the end of the second trimester (27 weeks). Abortion is also permitted up until birth if two additional physicians sign off on it.
Restoration News reached out to the Spanberger campaign to find out more information about her murder accusations of Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. We received no response.
During the debate Earle-Sears interrupted Spanberger after she was accused of threatening murder—calling it a lie. Yet, the moderators didn't permit Earle-Sears to provide a rebuttal.
Political Violence
Question to Spanberger: "Were you aware of the texts before they were released and will you continue to endorse Jay Jones to be the next attorney general of Virginia?"
Answer: "My opponent only denounces violence when her side is the target."
Follow up question: "I didn't hear an answer there on the endorsement issue. . .will you continue to endorse Jay Jones?"
Answer: It's up for voters to decide.
Another follow up question: "Do you yourself continue to endorse Jay Jones?"
Answer: "I am running my race to serve Virginia."
Just days before the governor's debate, Attorney General Candidate Jay Jones' prior text messages wishing death on his political opponent were revealed. Virginia Democrats, led by Abigail Spanberger, are sticking together and refusing to retract their endorsement and support for Jay Jones.
It comes as no surprise that Spanberger won't retract her endorsement for Jones. She voted against a resolution in Congress condemning attacks on pro-life facilities in the aftermath of the overturning of Roe V. Wade.
Recent polls indicate Republicans are surging closer to victory as election day approaches. Despite all Democrat candidates for the top three spots holding significant leads in early polling, the races have tightened significantly. Spanberger leads by just over 2 points, Lieutenant Governor candidate Ghazala Hashmi (D) is up just under 1 point over John Reid (R), and Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares leads Jay Jones (D) by over 5 points.
With just a couple weeks left in the election season, dodging questions and supporting a candidate who spewed political violence showed Spanberger's true colors—extremist, lacking leadership, and unwilling to answer to the voters.
Victoria Manning is a Senior Investigative Researcher for Restoration News specializing in education freedom, immigration, and military issues. She is the author of Behind the Wall of Government Schools. Victoria served 8 years as an elected school board member and has a master’s degree in law. She also brings the perspective of a military spouse and mother to her reporting.
Republished with permission from Restoration News.
